First published in 1916, this work is still recognised as a valuable historical and analytical study of the rise and development of finance as a centralised, coordinated force during the period 1385 to 1915. It examines the evolution of the modern money market, and describes amongst other things the decline of the anti-usury sentiment, the beginnings of banking, and the early stock exchange. In detail the author goes on to discuss everything from the rise of the joint stock banks to the post-banking evolution.