In the memorable year 1815, a member of the Stock Exchange found that, notwithstanding all his exertions to save his credit, his name stood every chance of gracing that blackboard on which so many appeared during the eventful period. Melancholy and meditating, he wandered forth, scarcely knowing the direction which he took, until from London Bridge he gazed gloomily upon the “dark flowing river,” half doubting whether its depths would not be his best abiding-place. In this mood he was hastily greeted by a voice he knew; and, turning round, was rapidly informed of news which at once turned his thoughts back to that world he had felt inclined to quit. The stranger had just arrived from the spot where the great battle of modern history had been fought; and the ruined jobber become the depositary of a secret which at once restored his spirits. Hastily learning all the particulars which might affect him, he retraced his steps, found the price unaltered, and the news, therefore, unknown. Without hesitation, he made large purchases of stock. All that was to be procured he bought; and, as the secret which had that morning sent him gloomily away was not even guessed, he was able to purchase very largely. He availed himself of his opportunity; and ere long had cause to congratulate himself on his good fortune, as, when the news arrived, the price rose sufficiently to clear all his difficulties, and leave him a profit of £20,000. The morals and the manners of the Stock Exchange are difficult to treat. Morals too often fade before money-making; and manners are regarded as unnecessary in the same eager pursuit. Nor is Capel Court an exception. When the fate of a jobber depends on the turn which the market may take,—when sorrow or success hangs upon a word,—when family, friends, and fortune are in the balance, and a rumored falsehood may sink or save,—it is not in humanity to resist the temptation; and it has, unhappily, become too general a practice to stop at no invention, and to hesitate at no assertion, which may assist the inventor. From this cause the Stock Exchange is rarely mentioned with that respect which it merits, as the theatre of the most extensive money transactions in the world. Public opinion punishes the many for the few. The great mass of its members have not power to disseminate an untruth. The brokers, bound not to speculate on their own account, have no interest in doing so; the small jobber cannot influence the price; many are too high-minded to avail themselves of dishonorable methods; and it is, therefore, to a particular class that the Stock Exchange owes its false reports, its flying rumors, and its unenviable notoriety. Capel Court is, indeed, a complete anomaly. There are men of high character and station in its body; there is every endeavour made by its executive to abolish all which tends to make it despicable; the greatness of its dealings are unequalled; some of its members are members of the senate; others