The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-22
THE MONEY KINGS.
Condensed Sketch of the History of the Roths.
ehilds, from their Rise to the Present Day

The season was September, 1893. The Land
grave of Hesse Cassel saw the French revolu
tionary bando approaching his dominions, and
waving at his very frontiers. Hastily he pack.
ed up his jewels and valuables, together with
between two and three millions of thalers. and
took the way to the ancient city Of Frankfort,
hoping to find means OF placing his wealth and
the jewels of his house in security.
Arrived at the city which had, for centuries,
sent forth the rulers of the holy Roman En-.
pire," the fugitive Landgrave knocked at the
door of an humble Jewish banker, Meyer Roths-
child, richer in children than in thalers but,
withal, distinguished and experienced archie
ologlst and numismatologist.
The sovereign, who himself was an expert in
these sciences, paid much respect to the knowI-
edge of the Jew banker, and had actually, few
years before, bestowed upon him the distinc-
! ton of the title of Medailleur to his Court"
Meyer he began, as he handed him his
wefilled case, :" / know you to be honest and
conscientious. Here is all possess; take it,
and return it to me when this tempest shall have
blown over, and when better times dawn upon
u.s."
"Such vast confidence does me great honor"
replied the Hebrew, "but your Highness must
not forget that the republican army is almost
before our doors"
"We are in the hands of Providence" re-
piled the Landgrave. 81 ask for no receipt"
The Prince re.entered his vehicle, and hur-
ried Off without listening to the renewed protesta-
tons of the man OF business
What Meyer Rothschild had anticipated duly
came to pass. Before a week was over, Frank
fort was in the possession of the French troops,
and the banker, who had been denounced as
an anti revolutionist and an ally of the tyfants,
found his domicile sacked and his cash.box
plundered in the name of liberty and the peo-
pie,
No sooner, however, had the victors left
Frankfort, than Meyer Rothschild re opened his
banking house, finding, at first credit among
the Jews, and ultimately with all the business
world, and soon was reputed richer than ever.
In 1902, he was once more considered as one
Of the most reliable bankers in Germany.
About this time there came short period of
rest for the crowned heads of Germany. The
Princes ofthe Rhenish Confederacy rested under
the high and forced protection of Napoleon.
Raised by the will of the great commander to
the dignity of an Elector of the German En-
pire, the Laudgraye of Hesse received permis-
sion to return to his dominions. On his way
he passed through Frankfort. The journals
had before informed him of the plunderng of
Rothschild's house. and he naturally believed
his own wealth long since prey to the Jacobins.
Still he determined to visit his numismastic
friend, if only TO assure him of the continuance
of his confidence
GOOD morrow, Meyer said the Elector, with
a frank and hearty shake of hands. DAT last
we have peace, old friend, but it costs us dear
enough. Before you stands a ruined man, as
poor as job"
"What! you poor, your Highness 2"
or tor fnr To- Id
sa,as e,aottes stolen my wealth along with yours?
If do not now too much Inconvenience you, l
should like to borrow small advance upon the
indemnity which | shall receive in Hesse-C
GEL"
An advance is not needed for your High
nesg, for ell that you confded to my care is safe
and untouched"
"What /" exclaimed the Prince, "and were
you not plundered, then?"