The Bank of England (n.) was a necessity for a government sucked dry by usurers — goldsmiths who had taken every grant of Parliament into pawn.
The Bank of England (n.) owed its notes' credit to the state — and was then paid interest by the state for lending it those very notes.
The Bank of England (n.) lent its money to the government at 8 per cent, then got leave to coin the same capital again by lending it to the public as banknotes.
The Bank of England (n.) has no power of its own will to put more notes in the public's hands, but can take them away — though not without a very violent operation.
The Bank of England (n.) when the market does not justify dear money first has to make money scarce by borrowing on the open market, manufacturing the situation that justifies raising its rate.