CHECK or CHEQUE, a draft cr bill on a bank, payable on presentation. A dieck may be drawn payable to the bearer, or tc the order of someone named; the first forms transfer able without endorsement and payrble to any one who presents it; the second must be it dorsed, that is, the person in whose favor t is drawn must write his name on tie back of it. A person who obtains money or a check which he knows is drawn by one not entitled to draw for the amount specified the ein is guilty of fraud and liable to crintnal punishment. Prompt payment is demandef of a check; it is not for use as a continuini security. In case of delay, the drawer is no' relieved of his ob ligation to the holder untss he suffers actual damage through the deity; as for instance, through the failure of tie bank on which the check was drawn. Certfied checks may also be obtained from banks in the United States. This has effect on the drawer's liability, depending on whether it is procured by the holder or by the draper. When pr6cured by the former, the drawer and endorsers are freed from liability; when procured by the drawer he remains liable or the check.
In England the custom of crossing checks is common. This A accomplished in two ways, (1) by a genera/ crossing, (2) by it special crossing. A general crossing makes it payable only when presotited through a bank, but any bank will do. A special crossing names the hank by whic the check must be presented. A check may e crossed either by the drawer or by the h er, who may convert a general into a specia/ crossing. Only bankers have the privilege of crossing a check which has al ready been crossed. A check which is crossed eit,ter generally or specially may fur ther be qessed by the words "not negotiable,D which mains that the person who takes it with these wofds on it does not obtain and is not capable of giving any better title to the check than tilt which the person from whom he took it had, A check so crossed is on very much the sine footing as an overdue bill of ex chant