ensified when I found myself handed down to
posterity by him as the _Old_ Lady of Threadneedle-street. He could have
no authority for this picture, seeing that, like the Delphian mystery of
old, I am invisible, and deliver my oracles through my directors.

You are girls, and will quite understand the distress of being thrust
suddenly into old age. Up to 1847 I was young, good-looking, and
attractive, and to be bereft of my youth and romance at one blow; to
know that from henceforth all would be prosaic and business-like, that I
should never again have lovers seeking my favour, was a condition of
extreme pain. I had always prided myself on my figure, but even this
_Mr. Punch_ did not leave me, but told the world that it was due to
tight-lacing. It was very cruel, and I have sometimes thought it was
envy of my position; but let that go. I took counsel with myself, and
determined to face the future with the resolve to be the very nicest old
lady in the world, and to make myself so useful to my fellow-creatures
that they should love me and stand by me even though my first youth had
passed. And I am sure you will agree with me in thinking that I have
accomplished this, and that not only have I kept clear of weakness and
decrepitude, but have achieved for myself a reputation and position
second to no lady in the land.

It has been necessary for me to make this little explanation, otherwise
you might have thought I had never been young. And now to proceed.

It was in the reign of William and Mary that I first saw the light,
being born in Mercers' Hall on the 27th of July, 1694.

From this place, after a few months, I was removed to Grocers' Hall,
Poultry; not the stately structure with which you are acquainted, but
one much more simple, which was razed to make room for the present
building.

I may say, without vanity, that my birth created a sensation throughout
the length and breadth of the land.

The House of Commons even was not exempt from this excitement, but set
aside its serious work to discuss whether or not I should be strangled
and put out of the way, or nurtured into strength by its support and
countenance.

Those members who were in favour of the last resolution declared that I
should rescue the nation out of the hands of extortioners, lower
interests, raise the value of land, revive public credit, improve
commerce, and connect the people more closely with the Government, while
those of the contrary opinion