Having now gone through the charitable institutions, I must proceed to mention the “Banks,” of which there are two in the island—the “Colonial Bank,” incorporated by royal charter, 1836; and the “West Indian Bank,” in 1840. The first of these banks issues a very neat note, (from five dollars [1l. sterling] and upwards,) bearing a lithographed representation of the royal arms, and encircled with a very prettily designed border; but the “West Indian” disseminates the most frightful “paper money” I ever witnessed. Some of their notes are _red_, and others _blue_; who was the designer of the “arms” which grace the head of them I know not, but they appear to be in direct opposition to all laws of heraldry. The shield (of an oblong figure) is divided into _three_ quarterings: 1st, or, an eagle (apparently) sable, beaked, rising from the sea; 2nd, gules, a ship full-rigged, argent; 3rd, azure, a castle, argent, battled. The supporters are two dwarfish cocoa-nut trees, (palm?) apparently springing from the same root as their companions, two gigantic pine-apples; the whole surmounted by the crown of England. With regard to the benefit which the establishment of these banks has rendered the country, various opinions have been formed. After the “Banks,” the only remaining institution to be mentioned is the “Antigua Library Society,” which according to its “rules and regulations,” is devoted to “the gradual formation of a permanent library of general literature, and the establishment, in connexion with the library, of a reading-room, to be furnished with newspapers, journals, pamphlets, periodicals, and other new publications.” Now it is well known that we live in an age of puffing, as well as steaming, and it may be imagined by some, that these caterers for intellectual sweets have fallen short of their promises. Not so, kind readers; take my word for it there are few better organized societies of the kind to be met with, or whose well-filled shelves bear a richer burden. Books to suit every taste (and every _age_ I might say—for our friend “Peter Parley” displays there the hidden treasures of the “earth, the sea, and skies,” to the delight of the youthful reader,) may be found in this Library Society. Theological, metaphysical, biographical, historical, and lighter works, abound. Poetry is not excluded; our own sweet bards, from good old Chaucer, that “father of English poetry,” down to the soft strains of Mrs. Hemans, or L. E. L., rank among its selections.