[122] An estimable sect of Christians, they are not better known for the zeal with which they contrive to amass and keep in their immediate circle vast stores of wealth, than for the uprightness and conscientiousness they generally display in the conduct of their business. The transactions of Haworth, and another of their black sheep who about the same time committed, or attempted to commit murder, whilst assuming their character, is described to us as having spread consternation and dismay through their ranks. The way in which the Society of Friends has, as a body, taken up the management of Savings Banks is most commendable. [123] A great part of our information relative to the Rochdale bank fraud is gathered from the evidence of Mr. Edward Taylor, a worthy and intelligent tradesman of Rochdale, who was examined before the Committee of 1858 in reference to the transactions in question; and no one is better able to speak of them. [124] So prevalent was this impression, that for several weeks 17_s._ 6_d._ in the pound was freely offered for Savings Bank books in Rochdale. [125] Evidence of Mr. Hatton, actuary of the Brighton Savings Bank. [126] It almost passes the bounds of credibility, and yet it cannot be denied, that in two separate banks, where the accounts were thus overhauled, items of money to a large amount were repeatedly found entered in the books with nothing but a pencil! [127] _Times_, January 17, 1862. [128] _Midland Counties Express_, March 16, 1862. [129] Report of the depositors' meeting, _Birmingham Daily Post_, January 16, 1862. [130] Or, as it was far better illustrated at the time, "It is not enough to bring a man who has been tossed about in an unseaworthy bark within sight of _terra firma_. We must heave him a rope, or, if possible, run out a plank between the quay and his crazy ship's side, on which he may safely walk across." [131] No attempt is here made to catalogue and describe frauds not occurring in Savings Banks proper: a chapter itself might be written on banks for the people established and carried on under a system of complete deception and villany. Nor have we entered into the case of frauds in Penny Banks, such as the unfortunate case at Birmingham. [132] Of the Rochdale depositors, for example, 1,245 were women, 722 unmarried factory operatives, 292 married, and 231 young girls; there were besides, 953 miners, 539 labourers, and 191 members of sick clubs.