A beau-clerk for a banking-concern [graphic]

"Mrs. Coutts (right), fat, swarthy, and moustached, sits at a table, holding out a cheque for £100.000 to Lord Burford. Her Cheque Book lies on the table. He steps forward, hat in hand, left hand on breast, in profile to the right. She says: Why you seem to be a good looking hard working young fellow, but I must tell you my business is extensive And I shall expect you will employ your time day and night for the benefit of the Concern, you must also be humble and submissive, should this be realized on Trial I will make you a Sleeping Partner. And here's a trifle for you to buy a pair of gloves. He answers with eager deference: You may depend upon it Madam I shall endeavour to give you every satisfaction. I shall be very attentive and if I can't get through the business as you like, you are at liberty to employ an Assistant. Mrs. Coutts is décolletée and bejewelled, wearing a turban trimmed with a paradise-plume. The gold-bordered tablecloth is weighted with balls inscribed £20,000 and £9,000. Large money-bags are on the floor behind her: £800,000 and . . . 000. Under her chair are a glass and a decanter of White Tape. Behind her is a picture of heaped sovereigns and money-bags. Other pictures are a cow looking over the wall of Mrs C--s Dairy, and (left) a castle: View near St Albans. The chairs are decorated with coins pouring from cornucopias."--British Museum online catalogue