This commercial grandee, who in wealth and in the influence which attends wealth vied with the greatest nobles of his time, was Sir Josiah Child.
There were those who still remembered him an apprentice, sweeping one of the counting houses of the City.

But from a humble position his abilities had raised him rapidly to opulence, power and fame.

At the time of the Restoration he was highly considered in the mercantile world.

Soon after that event he published his thoughts on the philosophy of trade.

His speculations were not always sound; but they were the speculations of an ingenious and reflecting man.