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THE ELEMENTS OF PRIMAEVAL FINANCE. 123of some supply. These peoples would be of two classes,those of the land, and those of commerce. Theircivilization would be of a hybrid nature, and their ideasof economy governed chiefly by the personal equation.The strife between these rival factions is well exemplifiedin historic times by the local struggles amongst theinhabitants of the Ionian Islands.On the other hand, the developmentof finance incommunities whose existence was based upon foreigntrade, such as those of Crete and of " the isles of theGreat Circle,"11and the seaport settlements of theMediterranean, would be essentially different. Theirobject was frankly and avowedly the acquisition ofwealth. Its attainment was the proof of a successfullife.How, then, was the merchant, whose business it wasto carry and dispose of commodities, to acquire greatwealth by retaining them in his possession? He musthave some means of giving an outward signof hisgreat riches, there was no joy in the possession ofgoods always in transit. His wealth always had to berealizable, both to the senses, and in the technicalmeaning of the word of the Twentieth Century A.D.Some reserve fund had to be made of goods other thanthose which were perishable. A hoard against the risksand perils of travel was necessary. Some currencyacceptable by all traders, before the days of notes ofhand, had to be devised, for, without it, commerce wouldbe stifled. For ready cash was as necessary to trading,as breath was to the body, especially in the days whencredit was unknown.11Breasted, Ancient Records, ii. 73.