CHAP. CONTENTS Book III.-MODERN COMMERCE I. THE COMMERCIAL EMPIRES IN THE EAST 124-137 VII. MODERN EUROPE: FRANCE AND GERMANY OTHER STATES A. FIFTY YEARS OF BRITISH TRADE B. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS OF FOREIGN POWERS INDEX 223 229 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY: COMMERCE AND HISTORY 1. How Commerce arises.-The history of commerce is the history of civilisation, the history of human wants, and how men have at various times satisfied them. In some countries men have not felt any needs at all beyond the one paramount necessity of gaining the means of life itself; and, having done this, they are satisfied. In this state they may remain for centuries, never progressing, and never wishing to progress. Such nations are found everywhere among the inferior races of the world. But there are other races who are not satisfied with the mere necessaries of life; they require something more than mere food and clothing; they require comfort and variety, even luxury, in their surroundings, and if they only feel these needs strongly enough, they generally can satisfy them. But real civilisation is never satisfied, for no sooner has one want been fulfilled than others seem to arise, and so we get that mighty development of varying needs of various peoples which modern commerce has to satisfy. Moreover, it often happens that a great many even of the simplest necessaries of human life cannot always be supplied in one country. England cannot grow enough corn to feed all her manufacturing population, though she could grow a great deal more than she does if she seriously set about it. On the other hand, England can make a great deal more cloth than is necessary to clothe her people, although a good many of them have not enough to wear; and so England imports corn from |