Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). History Of Savings Banks. A HISTORY OF BANKS FOR SAVINGS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, Including A Full Account of the Origin and Progress of Mr. Gladstone's Financial Measures for Post Office Banks, Government Annuities, and Government Life Insurance. by WILLIAM LEWINS, Author of "Her Majesty's Mails." London: Sampson Low, Son, and Marston, Milton House, Ludgate Hill, E.C. [All Rights reserved] London: Printed by R. Clay, Son, and Taylor, Bread Street Hill. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE, M.P. _CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER_, &c. &c. &c. THE GREATEST LIVING AUTHORITY ON ALL MATTERS OF FINANCE, WHOSE NAME IS NOW INTIMATELY AND DESERVEDLY CONNECTED WITH ALL THAT RELATES TO THE SUBJECT OF THESE PAGES, This Work IS BY PERMISSION MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. PREFACE. The present volume is offered as a contribution to the history of a number of provident schemes, which, though quietly working in the country for many years, and affecting to no small extent the social condition of great masses of the people, can scarcely be said to have found an annalist. I think I may fairly consider that the ground covered by this work has not previously been occupied. In saying so much, I do not forget the only book which has hitherto emanated from the British press on Savings Banks. Mr. Scratchley's _Practical Treatise on Savings Banks_ deals, however, with the question technically, and is meant avowedly as a text-book for actuaries and those employed about Savings Banks. The present volume, on the contrary, while it may be supposed to possess some interest even for this limited circle, is not meant to take the place of the above, but seeks its public amongst general readers, and amongst those who, either from inclination in that direction, or through connexion with them as employers, take an interest in the progress of the industrial classes of our country.