Perhaps it will be well that I should give a brief outline of the
circumstances antecedent to and attending my association with the
Royal Mint, because the facts and opinions which will be given in the
following pages appear to require such a notice, that their worth or
worthlessness may be estimated at its true value, as well as that the
sources of my information, and the modes of obtaining it, may be in the
hands of my readers.
In the early part of the year 1856 the Master of the Mint found himself
so beset with difficulties arising from irregularities committed by
those who should have supported him, that he formed a determination to
engage a person who should be indisputably a faithful and intelligent
officer in the Coining Department, and who at the same time had
sufficient personal influence to check those irregularities which he
knew were taking place, but which were beyond his personal supervision.
These irregularities were known to the Government of that period, and
had caused so vast an expense that that Government, which was presided
over by Lord Palmerston, had intimated to the Master, that unless
the Mint could be conducted more satisfactorily and economically, it
would be broken up as an Imperial establishment, and thus necessitate
the placing of the coinage in the hands of contractors. With this
view papers were printed and issued to various firms; but Mr. Graham,
being very sincere and energetic in his desire to so conduct the
Mint as that this necessity should not arise, sought the advice of
engineers and others, with a view to finding such a man as combined
within himself the qualities which he saw to be necessary. Finally,
by the advice of Dr. A. W. Hofmann, he called upon me at my residence
in October, 1856, and related to me in detail the facts above alluded
to, and explained precisely the position of affairs at the Mint,
giving me the names of the troublesome persons, and showing his own
position to be so intolerable, that without some one on whom he could
rely, it would be impossible for him to continue his Mastership. Mr.
Graham then proceeded to tell me what had passed between Dr. Hofmann
and himself as to my fitness for the work required, and explained
clearly the impossibility of placing me in a secure position or in high
office at first, but that if I would accept a supernumerary clerkship
temporarily, he would, when I had effected the object of his desires,
advise my promotion to the office then held by Mr. W. T. Brande, when
that office should become vacant. With this understanding I agreed
to accept the position proposed if duly appointed; but that I might
be able to carry out such reforms as were necessary, I insisted on
sufficient power being given to me by himself or by the Government. In
pursuance of this agreement, Mr. Graham recommended my appointment in
a letter to the Treasury, dated 29th October, 1856, in the following
terms:—
“I desired to introduce a young man, recommended by scientific and
technical information available in coining, by energy of character,
and by tried ability in the supervision of workmen—a faculty by no
means common. After applying to Mr. William Fairbairn and to Mr. George
Rennie, who both recommended candidates, and making inquiry in various
other quarters, I have been led to propose the name of Mr. George
Frederick Ansell as temporary clerk. Mr. Ansell was educated under Dr.
Hofmann, and acted for some years as his laboratory assistant. He has
since been Scientific Director in the Panopticon, Leicester Square,
which was lately broken up. He appears to be a person of superior
education and ability, and great activity and vigour of character, and,
as I have been assured, has shown much discretion in the management of
both pupils and workmen.”
In accordance with this recommendation I was appointed to a
supernumerary clerkship, and took office in the Rolling Room of
the Royal Mint; but before doing so I particularly inquired of Mr.
Graham, in the presence of Mr. W. H. Barton, the then Deputy-Master,
what authority I should have, and how far I should be supported if I
attempted to enforce obedience, and whether I was at liberty to call
for statements and examine original documents and books. He verbally
authorised me to examine such books as I wished to examine, and desired
Mr. Barton to give me such statements or information as I might ask
for; and as to my authority, he said, “If you order the men to dance
a hornpipe on the table, they shall do it, and all orders shall pass
through your hands.” With such power, and a salary of £120 a year, or
rather £10 a month, I took office on the 12th November, 1856.
My personal experience of men and manners in the Mint is recorded
in another book, but in this I feel it right to adhere rigidly to
explanations of the processes of coining, and to treat of the expense
and loss attending the manipulation of the precious metals; and in the
latter pages I will demonstrate what formerly was, and what should be,
the cost of producing a coined sovereign, each statement being the
result of actual experience, and capable of proof.