der fisherman, upon promise of twenty-five hundred francs, undertook
the hazardous voyage. Before sunset Rothschild landed at Dover; and
engaging the swiftest horses, rode with the wind to London. What a
superb special correspondent he would have made! The merchants and
bankers were dejected; the funds were depressed; a dense fog hung over
the city; English spirits had sunk to their lowest ebb. On the morning
of the 20th, the cunning and grasping Nathan appeared at the Stock
Exchange, an embodiment of gloom. He mentioned, confidentially, of
course, to his familiar that Blucher, at the head of his vast army of
veterans, had been defeated by Napoleon, at Ligny, on the 16th and 17th,
and there could be no hope for Wellington, with his comparatively small
and undisciplined force. This was half true, and like all half-truths,
was particularly calculated to deceive. Rothschild was a leader among
trading reynards. His doleful whisper spread as the plague--poisoning
faith everywhere. The funds tumbled like an aerolite. Public and private
opinion wilted before the simoon of calamitous report. It was 'Black
Friday' anticipated in Lombard Street. The crafty Israelite bought,
through his secret agents, all the consols, bills, and notes, for which
he could raise money.

Not before the afternoon of the 21st--nearly forty eight hours after the
battle--did the news of Wellington's victory reach London through the
regular channels. Rothschild was at the Exchange half an hour before the
glad tidings were made public, and imparted them to a crowd of greedy
listeners. The Bourse was buoyant. Everything went up more rapidly than
it had gone down. England was happy--as well she might be--for she had
stumbled into the greatest triumph in her history. When bankers and
merchants shook hands with the Hebrew speculator, they noticed--though
they did not understand--an unusual warmth of pressure. It was not
rejoicing with the nation; it was the imaginary clutch of six millions
more of gold. Thus it is seen that the great wealth of the Rothschild
was not always used to the best advantage of mankind as a Christian
would argue; but a promise given by a Rothschild was as good as his
note.

Their immense wealth has greatly aided, at different times, all and
singular, the various European countries. A favorite investment with
them has been loans to the different Governments throughout the world.

During twelve years of their business experience they l