But for all general purposes, the rule may be taken as absolute.

Save in rare cases, a director must serve his time as Governor and Deputy-Governor nearly when his turn comes, and he will not be asked to serve much before his turn.

It is usually about twenty years from the time of a man's first election that he arrives, as it is called, at the chair.

And as the offices of Governor and Deputy-Governor are very important, a man who fills them should be still in the vigour of life.
Accordingly, Bank directors, when first chosen by the board, are always young men.
At first this has rather a singular effect; a stranger hardly knows what to make of it.

Many years since, I remember seeing a very fresh and nice-looking young gentleman, and being struck with astonishment at being told that he was a director of the Bank of England.