Metternich thus appointed the Rothschilds over the head of his Paris ambassador as the channel of communication between him and the French cabinet. This implied extensive confidence in them, and was a priceless advantage to the Rothschilds, for it meant that during those dangerous times they would receive news of the most important decisions before anyone else. However, they continued to be in a state of great anxiety as to whether peace would be maintained. Their losses already amounted to millions; in accordance with their own estimate, perhaps deliberately somewhat exaggerated, they had irrevocably lost about 17 million gulden at one blow through the July revolution.100 A war might cause further losses, and perhaps occasion the collapse of their House. Even the tame extracts from the Rothschild Paris letter made for Prince Metternich's benefit still sounded exceedingly menacing.

"We have received your valued letter of the tenth of this month," one of these letters ran, 101 "and regret to learn that your securities are falling as badly as ours. Yesterday things got a great deal worse. War is on everybody's lips; there are those who want war for its own sake, and those who want it to take the public's mind off the proceedings against the ministers.102 Sebastiani remarked today that it would be better for the public to have something else to think of now than these proceedings, and that after the action things would be much better.

"Others, such as our friend Stuart, are of a different opinion, and think that after the action things will be much worse, and that we shall have nothing but war to think about then, and that the present ministers are not strong enough to adopt an unpopular line. Rentes remain at 58.50, and from today all the gardes nationaux must wear uniforms, so that you will see nothing but soldiers. On the Bourse were several soldiers in uniform. This does not look like peace.

"Last night Laffitte said that war was less likely now than ever, and that everything possible will be done to avoid it. He hopes that Prince Metternich will seriously think of means for settling matters before all the powers have their armies equipped, and everything is ready for war. For as soon as the young French are ready, and anything happens to set them off, the devil himself won't stop them. . . . Frankness and mutual forbearance are more than ever necessary.

"I read out to General Sebastiani what you told me about Uncle. He said that he was pleased with everything I had heard from the good gentleman; I assure you that he actually used the word 'good.' He went on to say, 'I am doing everything possible for peace . . and I do not see what we should go to war about. I have given orders in Italy to be accommodating to Austria in all matters. If, however, which God forbid, anything should happen there, I do ask for God's sake not to let troops march into any other country, for that might produce war.'

"You see, my dear brother, that the issue of war and peace really does hang on a thread today; God grant that everything may remain peaceful in Italy, for if God does not maintain peace, He alone can say what will become of Europe."

James might have added "and of us" after "Europe." It is exceedingly probable that the original letter did contain some such phrase, for the passage quoted was only a carefully selected extract made for the benefit of the chancellor.

And indeed, when, in the last days of November, a rising broke out in Poland against Russian rule, the danger of hostilities against France, which stood before the world as the originator of all these revolutionary troubles, became particularly acute. The future destinies of the House of Rothschild largely depended upon whether the decision should be for peace or for war. They redoubled

their efforts to win the statesmen and persons in power for the cause of peace. The three brothers in Paris, London, and Vienna rivaled one another in their feverish efforts to influence their countries' policies.

Amschel Meyer at Frankfort had meanwhile been allotted the task of relieving the House of Rothschild from as many of its financial agreements and obligations as he possibly could. Carl stayed with him in order to help in this labor of Sisyphus, involved in dealing with the enormous ramifications of businesses that were mostly in a bad way. The great question continued to be, war or peace?

NOTES

CHAPTER I

(1) For further details see Geschichte von Frankfurt am Main in ausgewählten Darstellungen, Kriegk (Frankfort-on-the-Main, 1871). (2) "Meyer Amschel Rothschild," der Gründer des Rothschildschen Bankhauses, Berghoeffer (Frankfort-on-the-Main, 1923) p. 5. (3) The usual story, which is given in all publications except Berghoeffer's, and according to which Rothschild was announced to the prince as he and Estorff were playing chess, is a myth. On the other hand we may take it as proved that General von Estorff effected the introduction, relying on the family connections between him and Hesse. (4) Published in full by Berghoeffer; see above, p. 7. (5) The original catalogues are in the Municipal Library at Frankfort. The reproductions here given of a title-page and a portion of the text are taken from one of these. (6) Dr. Philipp Losch, Kurfürst Wilhelm I., Landgraf von Hessen, (Marburg, 1923), p. 71. (7) Vehse in his Geschichte der deutschen Höfe (pp. 27 and 266) declares that there were seventy-four illegitimate children in existence. Others put the number even higher. For further details see appendix to Losch's book referred to above. (8) Losch, as above, p. 43. (9) The family later received the name "von Carlshausen" as also did the estate which remains in their possession. The family is still flourishing, but now only bears the name of Barons von Carlshausen, without Buderus. (10) Losch, see above, p. 158. (11) Der Soldatenhandel deutscher Fürsten nach Amerika, 17751783, Friedrich Kapp (Berlin, 1864), p. 57. (12) Berghoeffer, as above; p. 20. (13) Carlshausen archives: accounts entry dated Nov. 9, 1790. Laubtaler ("leaf" thaler) were silver coins, so called from the foliage which formed part of the design. They were worth one Prussian thaler, fifteen silver groats. (14) The "green" shield has given rise to a good deal of error. The name is in fact derived from the earlier house with the red shield. (15) The illustration gives an excellent idea of the Rothschild house in its original condition. The Schiffs' old-clothes shop can also be seen. The descendants of this family have also achieved great things, particularly in America where they have made a huge fortune. (16) Reichsgulden; the Conventiongulden-so called because, in accordance with a Convention, 20 gulden (in 20 florin measure) or 24 gulden (in 24 florin measure) were coined out of 1 mark (16 loth) of fine silver-was worth rather more. One florin Convention coin in 24 florin measure was worth about 1% reichsgulden. (17) The Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel to Francis of Aus