Only look at it. The proprietors’ capital is now fourteen millions and a half instead of £1,200,000; I am the Banker of the Government; I receive the Public Revenue; I pay the National Debt; I receive and register transfers of stock from one public creditor to another, and I make the quarterly payment of the dividends. I have undertaken also the management of the Indian Debt, as well as the Funded Debt of the Metropolitan Board of Works. What do you think of that for a woman old as I am in years? You must own that, notwithstanding my age, I am young and vigorous in thought, in action, and in organisation, otherwise how could I get through my work as I do? [Illustration: “GHOSTLY, SILENT MESSAGES.”] My profits, too, are, when compared with those in my young days, enormous. You wanted to know, if I remember rightly, how I lived, and how I obtained the money to pay you your dividends; and whether, in this respect, I was worthy of your trust. Well, I will tell you a few of the ways in which I make money. I obtain large sums by discounting Exchequer Bills; then there is the interest upon the capital stock in the hands of the Government; I receive, also, an allowance for managing the Public Debt. Up to 1786 I used to get £562 10s. for every million; it was then reduced to £450 a million; and since 1808 I get £300 per million up to 600 millions, and £150 per million beyond—a nice little sum for you to work out. A further source of income is interest on loans, on mortgages, profit on purchase of bullion, and many other small matters. I am careful, you see, not to have all my eggs in one basket. For help in all this work I employ between eight and nine hundred officers and servants, whose salaries exceed £210,000 a year. I think I am a good mistress. I am sure I do my best to take care of all my people, and I am acquainted with every one of them, even with those who perform what is called menial service (I don’t like that word; every service is honourable, if well performed); but I do confess that I am extremely strict and particular and I am intolerant of mistakes, from whatever cause they arise, because they dim the lustre of my honour. I think on the whole I have reason to be proud of my servants. Indeed, I have a firm belief that no lady in the land is served better or more faithfully. I think you will like to hear a little about the way I manage my people. First of all, I make every increase of salary to depend upon punctuality in the morning, knowing as I do its importance. I am equally particular that those living within the house shall keep good hours at night. Then I do not mind giving occasional leave of absence, if urgently required; but I don’t allow anyone to take what is called “French leave” without paying a fine for each day’s absence.