Perhaps this is an exaggeration; but confined, as of course it was meant to be, to civilised Governments, it is not much of an exaggeration.

There are very few civilised Governments that could not borrow considerable sums of us if they choose, and most of them seem more and more likely to choose.

If any nation wants even to make a railway--especially at all a poor nation--it is sure to come to this country--to the country of banks--for the money.

It is true that English bankers are not themselves very great lenders to foreign states.

But they are great lenders to those who lend.