Page:The influence of commerce on civilization (IA influenceofcomme00ellerich).pdf/26

20 swan exists, and records are existent that a white, or albino, raven has been known. Anyway, I am inclined to think that black swans were known of in Europe, probably by having been seen in Australia, and I prefer to believe that Australia and her inhabitants were known to Asia and Europe in remote times through commerce. I have seen accounts, for whose authenticity I do not vouch, of kangaroos and cassowaries having been seen in Spain in the middle ages, also of boomerangs in ancient Egypt. However, the "rara avis" I refer to is Australia. The black swan is the crest of at least one of her States, and Australia has entered the commerce of the world in no uncertain manner by her gold resources. To go into the intricacies of the foreign exchanges would be here too long. But I would say this: Australia now holds a very leading position in the science of the foreign exchanges throughout the world. Coupled with the Cape colonies she is also an immense producer of gold; and as the Cape has no mint at present, while Australia has three, and as India is an immense consumer of silver and Australia largely produces this metal, it will readily be understood by an expert what a powerful position Australia holds, properly directed, let me say, by capable men and not by irresponsible politicians, in the immense trade of the 900,000,000 who constitute the population of the East, and who hoard gold in return for their inexhaustible products. The science of the foreign exchanges is one of the most important factors in commercial economy. The proper understanding of this science, or ignorance of it, means the success or the failure of any commercial people. The science of the foreign exchanges is as firmly fixed and governed by laws as are the rise and fall of the tides or the laws of storms. Anyhow, Australia is so far a portion of the British Empire that she cannot afford to remain apart, if not from her very dependence in every way on the Old Land, at least from her being part of the machinery upon which the old world's commerce and finance revolve and have their raison d'etre. But, with this notice of the large and overwhelming commerce of Great Britain, what must not be overlooked