Not only merchants but all persons under pecuniary liabilities--present or imminent--feel this wish to 'strengthen themselves,' and in proportion to those liabilities.

Especially is this the case with what may be called the auxiliary dealers in credit.

Under any system of banking there will always group themselves about the main bank or banks (in which is kept the reserve) a crowd of smaller money dealers, who watch the minutae of bills, look into special securities which busy bankers have not time for, and so gain a livelihood.

As business grows, the number of such subsidiary persons augments.

The various modes in which money may be lent have each their peculiarities, and persons who devote themselves to one only lend in that way more safely, and therefore more cheaply.