CHAPTER I.
JAY GOULD A GREAT MAN.
In every walk of human life, in every imaginable
human occupation, that man who stands at the
very top, who is superior to all others in that particular
occupation, is of necessity a great man. No
matter how humble that occupation may be, absolute
superiority in it, in itself means greatness. The
time once was when commercial eminence was considered
to belong rather to the lower classes, and
was, indeed, despised by those who thought themselves
to be of knightlier blood than their fellows.
The Crusades, the Renaissance, the discovery of
America, and the impetus these gave to voyage and
trade and commerce, were potent factors in changing
all of this. For the last few centuries, commercial
ability, financial capacity, knowledge of how to
manipulate men and measures in a way to increase
fortune, and so to secure more of what fortune will
buy, have been more and more appreciated, until
to-day aristocracy and royalty clip coupons, families
whose ancestors trace from the Conqueror invest in
stocks and draw dividends, and the bluest blooded
of all great families engage with avidity in the struggle
for business and wealth.
Since royalty and aristocracy thus deign to enter
