He will be able to offer her facilities in various ways. He will hold for her, in safe custody, any deeds or securities; and whilst she is absent from home will take charge of her plate or valu- ables, free of all expense. If she is travelling about the country he will arrange so that her cheques on the Blankshire Bank may be cashed at any other bank in the kingdom. If she has occasion for it he will send money on her account to some other person's credit at any bank in the kingdom or the civilised world. If she desires to travel abroad, he will obtain a passport for her and provide her with "circular notes," which may be turned into money at any place she is likely to visit. He will buy and sell stocks, shares, annuities, &c., for her, and collect dividends, interest, coupons, &c., payable anywhere at home or abroad. He will cheerfully advise her on all matters connected with money, and it will be quite the exception if she does not, in all things, find him a safe and prudent counsellor. As a rule, no charge is made by a bank for keeping an account, provided the balance, that is, the amount of money they hold for the cus- tomer - technically the credit balance - is not persistently small. If it were always under £50 that would be considered small, but if only occa- sionally below that figure, and sometimes above £200 for any time, it would generally be exempt from charge. When a charge is made for keeping an account which is not remunerative or free from trouble, it does not amount to much, and is fairly earned. If an advance of money is required for a tem- porary purpose, the bank will often lend the money by allowing the account to be overdrawn, that is, the balance in the pass-book will appear as due _to_ the bank instead of _from_ the bank for the sum required from time to time. This is sometimes convenient when the advance is only required for a short time as avoiding the necessity for disturbing any investment which otherwise would have to be sold. As a rule, however (though exceptions are made where the customer is absolutely to be depended upon), the bank would desire some security to be deposited. This may take the form of a sufficient portion in value of stocks or shares in which the customer has invested, or sometimes the personal guar- antee of one or two responsible persons is accepted. This is quite regular business, and the interest usually charged is fair and reason- able. CHAPTER III. LONDON BANKS AND BANKING.