The Rothschilds and Hitler - a new vision of classical history. Mayer Amschel Rothschild - Lord of Money Jewish Ghetto in Frankfurt

Heine, paraphrasing the well-known formula of Islam, said: “Money is the God of our time, and Rothschild is his prophet.” The banking house of Rothschild in the 19th century was considered one of the most powerful European empires, along with Britain, Russia, France, Prussia and Austria-Hungary. The Rothschilds entered the 21st century with a fortune exceeding $15 billion. Of course, this is much less than the fortunes occupying the first lines of the ranking of the world's billionaires, especially if it is divided among all family members, but the fact of the matter is that the Rothschilds' fortune is this is precisely the state of the family.

The Rothschilds are a clan that has maintained the purity of its blood for centuries. Moreover, in order to prevent the dispersion of capital and information leakage, the Rothschilds practice intra-family marriages. At the same time, they have a fantastically developed devotion to the family, and no case about the division of inheritance between the Rothschilds, or a “brotherly scandal” (like the one for which the famous Indian billionaires the Ambani brothers recently became famous) has ever surfaced. The sons of the founder of the dynasty even divided the profits equally, and each financial transaction required the approval of the entire family - as interested parties.

The Rothschilds were among the first to understand the value of information and trade secrets. Amschel Rothschild (1773-1855) wrote in his will: “I categorically... prohibit any judicial or public inventory of my inheritance, any judicial intervention and any publication of the extent of my fortune.” It was the Rothschilds who authored the famous phrase “Who owns the information, owns the world.”

This thesis was perfectly illustrated by Nathan Rothschild (1777-1855), when he managed to earn a lot of money (40 million pounds sterling) and actually buy up all of England - only by having information about the outcome of the Battle of Waterloo. No, Nathan did not mislead anyone. We can say that he accomplished a feat: he managed to get to London from Brussels faster than an official courier. Nathan Rothschild made an official report to the government, and then went about the affairs of his own bank. That is, he started playing on the stock exchange. When Nathan Rothschild began selling securities, everyone unanimously decided that Napoleon had won the Battle of Waterloo. Immediately the collapse of English, Austrian and Prussian stocks began. Rothschild's agents carefully bought up everything that the exchange offered, and it offered a lot that day. They learned only a day later that the information that exchange players considered undeniable was not true, but it was already too late. But it was not possible to accuse Nathan Rothschild of foul play: he did not tell anyone who won the historical battle. He simply remained silent, once again confirming the thesis that information is the key to mastering the world.

The five sons of Mayer Rothschild opened five banks in different parts of Europe: Amschel (1773-1855) - in Frankfurt (Germany), Solomon (1774-1855) - in Vienna (Austria), Nathan (1777-1855) - in London (Great Britain), Charles (1788-1855) - in Naples (Italy), James (1792-1868) - in Paris (France). Thus, the Rothschilds practically took control of all European governments.

True, this control did not last long, and at the moment only the French and English banking houses of the Rothschilds remained. Until now, they have worked independently, independently of each other, but not so long ago it was announced that a single holding company would soon be created that would unite the French and English branches of the Rothschilds not only at the management level, but also at the shareholder level. This unification is associated with the death of Baron Guy de Rothschild, who was the head of the French branch of the family.

The Rothschilds are not only banking houses, they are also mining companies in South Africa (gold, diamonds, uranium, etc.), this is De Beers Consolidated Mines, which needs no introduction, this is the oil industry and non-ferrous metallurgy. Everything the Rothschilds touch turns to gold. And yet, representatives of this family, even in the 21st century, follow the precepts of the founder of the dynasty, who insisted on perseverance in increasing wealth, constantly looking for new ways to make money, and zeal in faith (not one of the Rothschilds abandoned the faith of their fathers, even for the sake of financial benefits ), an indispensable mastery of the art of management and modesty.

“Modesty leads to wealth,” said Amschel Rothschild, instilling in his descendants the ideals of Mayer Rothschild, and each of the Rothschilds is moderate, modest and diligently avoids scandals.

Mayer Amschel Bauer (Rothschild) (German: Mayer Amschel Bayern Rothschild; February 23, 1744, Frankfurt am Main - September 19, 1812, ibid.) - founder of an international dynasty of entrepreneurs, founder of a bank in Frankfurt am Main.

The business was continued by his five sons: Amschel Mayer, Solomon Mayer, Nathan Mayer, Kalman Mayer, James Mayer. The brothers controlled 5 banks in the largest cities of Europe (Paris, London, Vienna, Naples, Frankfurt am Main).

Biography

The family of young Mayer Amschel lived in a Jewish ghetto. His father Amschel Moses Bauer ran a small money changer's office under a red sign, which in German sounds like "Roth Schild". This is how the nickname appeared, which became a household name for luxury and wealth and laid the foundation for the 260-year-old Rothschild dynasty.

When Mayer was twelve years old, he was sent to Hanover to study at Oppenheimer's bank. There he learned the secrets of finance, became acquainted with the coins of the German principalities, and learned to identify counterfeits and favorable exchange rates.

After the death of his parents in 1760, Mayer returned to Frankfurt and continued his father’s business: he began exchanging and selling coins and medals. Very soon he became famous among antique lovers. Having saved money, Mayer opened his own antique shop, where it was possible to exchange money from one German principality for another. This is how the first Rothschild bank arose.

At the beginning of his financial career he was a dealer in antique coins and medals. Through the mediation of his client General von Estorff, a collector of ancient coins, he meets Landgrave Wilhelm IX of Hesse-Kassel. Who made him his confidant during the Landgrave's flight to Prague from Napoleonic troops. Mayer Anschel Rothschild not only preserved capital, but also managed his multimillion-dollar fortune in such a way that it increased noticeably; the foundation of his own fortune dates back to this time.

Rothschild was distinguished by exceptional business acumen. Transporting currency in those days was very expensive, and there was a risk of falling into the hands of robbers. Mayer found a very simple solution to the problem. He bought wool and cotton at low prices in England, and then sold them in Europe for much more.

From 1764 Mayer Rothschild began supplying coins and gold to the princely house of Hesse-Kassel. And after five years, the head of the house, William I, appointed him as his personal banker. The duties of a court factor, such as Mayer, were to increase the prince’s treasury, cover his expenses for the army, luxury goods, and supply the court, stables, kitchen and cellars. If successful, the factor expected a reward in the form of a part of the prince’s income and respect at court; in case of failure, trial, ruin and even execution.

Prince Wilhelm was known as one of the richest and most noble German princes, traded in mercenary armies and lived in grand style. In 1785, he profitably sold 17 thousand soldiers to the English King George III for the war with the American colonists. When the prince went into hiding, fleeing from Napoleon, Rothschild continued collecting money from his debtors, and was even able to increase the amount received.

One day, Rothschild withdrew money from the prince’s compensation account in a British bank and used it to pay for goods. And since I paid in cash, I received a big discount. Mayer managed to avoid two operations at once: transporting money to England and counter-transporting the prince’s money to Frankfurt. Instead of money, Rothschild brought goods, sold them at a high price, repaid the debt to the prince and ended up with a big win. And since the prince received thalers, and the British paid in pounds, the banker also made money on the difference in exchange rates.

At the age of 27, Mayer married 17-year-old Gutla Schnapper, the daughter of a local moneylender. The Rothschilds had 5 sons and 5 daughters: Jeanette (1771), Amschel (1773), Solomon (1774), Nathan (1777), Isabella (1781), Babette (1784), Karl (Kalman) (1788), Julie (1790) ), Henrietta (1791) and James (1792).

Rothschild's five sons continued his work. They were called "Five Fingers of One Hand". On September 27, 1810, Mayer Amschel founded the company Mayer Amschel Rothschild and Sons. By putting into circulation the cash funds of the Elector, which were at his disposal, Rothschild the Father began to arrange government loans on an unprecedented scale. The increase remained in the hands of the banker family, and the wealth itself was returned by the Rothschild heirs to the Landgrave's successors.

After Rothschild's death, his total capital was twice the assets of the Bank of France. His sons dispersed throughout Europe and subsequently created a whole network of banks. Amschel, the eldest son, managed all the affairs of the family home in Frankfurt. Nathan founded his company in London, James - in Paris, Solomon settled in Vienna, Karl - in Naples. Formally, they were independent from each other, but they had a common communication system - a courier service, which made it possible to receive news about the most important political events, about any stock market shocks, before anyone else. The Rothschilds’ ability to quickly collect information, and if necessary, spread misinformation, played a big role in the fact that the history of the house was closely intertwined with the history of Europe.

Emblem of the Rothschild Dynasty

The emblem of the Rothschild dynasty depicts five arrows connected by a chain, symbolizing the union of the five sons of the clan founder Mayer Amschel. Their motto was: “Concordia, Integritas, Industria” (Concord, Honesty, Hard work).

The Rothschild Code for your children

1. All important positions in business should be held only by family members (and not employees); Only male descendants can participate in affairs; Only direct male heirs can inherit. The eldest son becomes the head of the family, unless the brothers unanimously agree otherwise (as happened in 1812, when Nathan was approved as head of the house).
2. The men of the family must marry their cousins ​​or second cousins ​​(so that the accumulated property remains within the family and serves the common cause). Daughters must marry aristocrats while maintaining their faith.
3. In any case, do not describe the family's property, do not disclose the size of the fortune. Even in court or in a will. Disputes between brothers should be resolved within the family, maintaining the unity of the home.
4. Live in harmony, love and friendship, share profits equally.
5. “Never forget that modesty leads to wealth”

Rothschild... This name in the centuries before and last was synonymous with wealth, success, luxury and prestige. The entire 19th century passed under the influence of the Rothschild financial empire, and only towards the end of it did new financial giants emerge that gave it serious competition. The Rothschild family is still one of a kind today!

Mankind has known about the Rothschild bankers for more than two and a half centuries. This is how long their activity in the world of financial business lasts. Members of the famous clan live on all five continents and maintain family relationships. Probably no one other than the Rothschilds themselves could name the total amount of capital they own, although it is reliably known that this is a fantastic figure. What is the secret of the Rothschilds' success? In our article we will try to figure this out.

The free city of Frankfurt am Main, located in the center of bustling trade, attracted Jews from the early Middle Ages. Trade and financial transactions have been successful here over the last millennium. Before the French Revolution, Frankfurt had 35 thousand inhabitants, one tenth of whom were Jews. In 1462, they were allocated a special quarter, called the Jewish quarter.

It is from this city that the dynasty of famous financial magnates traces its ancestry. The ancestors of the founder of the Rothschild dynasty, Mayer Rothschild, lived for many centuries in one of these cramped ghettos, only 12 meters wide, “sandwiched as if in a cage” between the city wall and the moat, in a wretched house on the Judengasse, blocked on both sides ( Jewish Street), where guards stood near the heavy chains that locked the entrance and exit.

This was the Khan family, which later formed one of the branches of the dynasty. They moved to Frankfurt in the 16th century. Their Frankfurt name comes from the "house with the red sign" in which the family lived. However, the surname Rothschild is quite common in Jewish communities - in Germany at that time, Jews were often given surnames based on some characteristic related to the family or its way of life. In 1585, Isaac Elhanan received the nickname "by the red sign", while his father's grave was written only Elhanan. It should be noted, however, that, according to some other sources, “in 1750 Mayer Amschel Bauer inherited his father’s banking business in Frankfurt and changed his name to Rothschild: from “roten Schield” - “red shield”, which hung above the entrance to the office and was a symbol of the victories of revolutionary-minded Jews in Eastern Europe" (N. Bogolyubov. Secret societies of the 20th century. St. Petersburg, 1997).

The Rothschild family, like other Jews, received their livelihood from trade, since before the 18th century there were no other financial banking operations. The Rothschilds had little wealth and a modest lifestyle. From 1567 to 1580, Isaac Elhanan paid a tax on a fortune of 2 thousand 700 guilders, and his great-grandson Kalman, who died in 1707, already had a fortune of 6 thousand florins in 1690. In 1733–1735, Kalman's son had in his hands a bill of exchange from a famous Württemberg court financier for 38 thousand florins, indicating that large monetary transactions had taken place. But Amschel Moses, Mayer Amschel's father, had a fortune of only 1 thousand 375 florins. All these are very insignificant amounts when compared with the income and fortune of the major court financiers of Berlin and Vienna, many of whom were millionaires.

Young Mayer Rothschild learned his trade in the city of Hanover (Northern Germany), since the authorities there were more lenient towards the inhabitants of the Jewish ghetto than in Frankfurt. In 1764, after spending several years as an apprentice in the Oppenheimer banking house, Mayer Rothschild returned to Frankfurt, where he was immediately reminded of his social position. The young man again had to pull his head into his shoulders and make his way through the streets, timidly pressing against the walls and removing the pointed cap from his head.

During the time that Mayer Rothschild studied in Hanover, his family became completely impoverished and no longer lived at the “rich end” of the Judengasse in a house under a red sign, but in a dilapidated, damp shack, from the eaves of which a frying pan hung on a chain. This house was called “the house under the frying pan.” It was here that Mayer Rothschild opened his small company. Soon, in the “house under the frying pan,” our hero set up a kind of money changer’s shop, where passing merchants could exchange the money of some German principalities for the currency of others. This is how the first bank of the Rothschild company arose - in a room with an area of ​​4 square meters! Rothschild began to literally collect his wealth from a landfill. Even in a pile of old things, sometimes treasures are hidden, but you need to be able to find them, and Mayer Amschel had such a talent. He began collecting coins that had gone out of circulation, discarded medals, and emblems from ancient knightly armor and shields. Having cleaned and given his finds a marketable appearance, Rothschild successfully sold them to collectors. Over the years, an enviable and quite valuable collection has accumulated.

In one of the trade books for 1778, Mayer Rothschild is already mentioned as a dealer in antique medals and coins. At first, he himself compiled catalogs of such coins and delivered them to clients. The peculiarity of his coin business was that the collection assembled from coins was sold at a higher price than its constituent coins, which were purchased separately: the added value arose due to the “ordering” of the coins. Among other things, what was also unusual was the fact that Mayer Amschel determined the value of coins not by the amount of precious metal, but by their historical significance.

Revenues from foreign exchange were used to expand the trade in ancient coins. Mayer Rothschild bought several shops that belonged to money changers in difficulty, along with a supply of coins. With the “trade stock” obtained in this way, he again traveled around all the small German principalities and duchies. Once, during a voyage to Weimar, he was lucky enough to make a deal with Goethe’s own patron, Duke Karl August.

Numerous trips to small German principalities and duchies, where Rothschild sold his ancient rarities to enthusiastic aristocrats, led him to an appointment with another enthusiastic collector, Prince William of Hesse - the future Elector and one of the richest people of that time.

It should be noted that in the German states the typical combination of that time was “prince and Jew” (Fürst und Jud), with the latter in the hands of the state’s finances. Thus, for more than a hundred years, representatives of the House of Oppenheimer were the court bankers of the imperial court in Vienna. The “Great Elector” Friedrich Wilhelm used the services of financiers Gumperz, Veit, Rees, Aaron and Brond Wulf. His son Frederick I entrusted financial affairs to Libman, Frederick the Great entrusted financial affairs to Ephraim.

In 1764, Crown Prince Wilhelm began independent rule of the County of Hanau. The Landgrave was a great lover, collector and connoisseur of coins and medals. In June 1765, Rothschild delivered the first coins to him, for which he received a reward of 38 guilders 80 kreuzers. This was Rothschild’s first “gesheft” with the head of a foreign state. And it was the coin trade that brought the then twenty-year-old Mayer Rothschild closer to his future patron. It took him decades to achieve the full favor and favor of the Landgrave, since he was by nature a very suspicious person, especially when it came to financial matters. This is how the greatest court banker of all time began his career modestly.

A few years later, the elder Rothschild even dared to apply for some kind of court title, since any title elevated the Jewish merchant in the eyes of the court society and in the society of fellow believers: “I had the special grace to make various deliveries to Your Princely Serene Highness, which brought Your Serene Highness great pleasure. I will use all my strength and capabilities to continue to always be ready to provide various services to Your Princely Serene Highness. It would be a particularly strong encouragement for me if Your Princely Serene Highness would be pleased to grant me the rank of court factor [a financial position at the courts of German princes, introduced specifically for Jews. – Here and further approx. author] Your Lordship.

I ask your Princely Serene Highness with greater confidence also because I in no way want to bother you. Thanks to my rank and taking into account my trading business, as well as other circumstances, I could create my happiness here in the city of Frankfurt.”

Mayer Rothschild received the rank of court factor. This was a reward for the supply of coins and medals that continued until 1806. After Mayer's death in 1812, Amschel sold the medals to the Elector twice, in 1813 and 1814.

After his appointment as a court factor, Rothschild became even more active in financial affairs. Along with this, his five sons continued to trade in goods. Both Landgrave Frederick II and the Crown Prince had been issuing bills of exchange from London since 1776 to hire soldiers for England. When implementing such a bill, Rothschild had to work in Hanau. In his next statement to the Landgrave, he reported that “in Hanau, according to English letters, he received a higher price with a benefit for the master’s treasury.” Since 1798, Rothschild became the most preferred supplier to the princely treasury.

He was greatly helped by the fact that the prince had no prejudices against Jews. This is evidenced by the significant number of Jews at the court in Kassel. In addition, the prince was a business man; he himself could become a banker. Of decisive importance for the banking house in Frankfurt was the fact that Rothschild finally managed to win the full trust of the prince, who entrusted him with all financial affairs. The existence of any bank depends entirely on whether it manages to attract reputable customers and retain them. Rothschild provided his high-ranking client with various services: conducting all affairs in the free city of Frankfurt, attracting reliable and politically neutral banking connections in the leading financial market of London.

Expanding business connections eventually led to a new sign being nailed to the wall of the “house under the frying pan” in 1769. It already bore the coat of arms of the Ducal House of Hesse-Hanau and the inscription in gold letters below: “Mayer Rothschild, Manager of the Affairs of Duke Wilhelm, His Highness the Prince of Hanau.”

Rothschild's profits grew. Wilhelm himself was also quite a colorful figure. He was the grandson of the English King George II, the cousin of George III, the brother-in-law of the King of Sweden and the nephew of the King of Denmark. But that was not the most important thing. What was more important was something else: he was the first of the German princes, despite his belonging to the aristocracy, to begin providing loans at usurious interest rates, not disdaining rude and arrogant money-grubbing.

Soon more than half of the sovereigns of Europe found themselves in Wilhelm's debts. In addition, he learned to turn even the blood of the Hessians themselves into gold. His non-commissioned officers, who knew no mercy or mercy, knew how to drill disciplined and ready-to-do-anything mercenaries. And as soon as a new company of Landsknechts completed training, the Duke immediately sold it to the British for a lot of money - to maintain order in the overseas colonies of the growing British Empire at that time. Whenever a Hessian mercenary was killed in a distant English colony, Duke William received large monetary compensation for him. And very soon the ruler of the tiny duchy became the richest feudal lord in Europe, a kind of banker-usurer, creditor of many princes and kings. Gradually, Mayer Rothschild also became involved in this business. Along with other money changers and bankers, from time to time he received instructions from Duke William to collect one or another foreign debt (of course, for an appropriate reward).

Having become rich, the Rothschild family was able to move to a new house - already “under a green sign” - and began to be called not the Rothschilds, but the Grunschilds (“Grun” in German - green). For some time, the Rothschilds even thought about taking this new nickname as a surname, but then they decided to keep the old one. This surname went down in history.

It cannot be said that the Rothschilds grew rich with fabulous speed. For almost 20 years, Mayer Rothschild paid income taxes of only 2 thousand florins a year. Only in 1795, picky city financial inspectors increased taxes to 15 thousand. And this, according to the concepts of the Frankfurt ghetto, meant the highest level of income. In the ghetto, but not in the financial world of the German principalities.

In August 1770, Mayer Amschel married the daughter of the merchant Wolf Solomon Schnapper, who lived near Rothschild's house. The father-in-law's family belonged to the old Jewish families of Frankfurt. The bride's dowry amounted to 2 thousand 400 florins.

Gutle Schnaper was a simple, modest and very economical woman. She gave her husband ten children: five sons and five daughters. Housekeeping and raising children took a lot of time. Gutle Schnaper spent her entire life in the Jewish quarter, in the very house where their family was destined to achieve its greatest prosperity.

Meanwhile, Rothschild's sons grew up and began to help their father in all his affairs.

The eldest son, Amschel Mayer, was born on June 12, 1773, and on November 16, 1793, he married Eva Hanau. In the documents, the names of father and son - Mayer Amschel and Amschel Mayer - were often confused. Only with closer and more detailed study was it possible to establish which of them was meant. Various spellings Mayer and Meyer are also often found. Amschel died on December 6, 1855.

Solomon Mayer, second son, born September 9, 1774. On November 26, 1800, he married Caroline Stern, and died on July 27, 1855.

Nathan Mayer, the third son, who turned out to be the most talented of the “five Frankfurt men,” was born on September 16, 1777. He was married to Hanna Cohen from a Jewish family. But already on August 8, 1836 he died.

The fourth son, Karl Mayer, was born on April 24, 1788, and married Adelheid Hertz on September 16, 1818. He died on March 10, 1855. Three of the five brothers passed away in the same year.

Jacob, or James, the youngest, was born May 15, 1792, and on July 11, 1824, he married his niece Betty Rothschild. Death overtook him on November 15, 1868.

It is characteristic that the sons and daughters of the Rothschilds sought to marry representatives of famous families belonging to the upper circles of the Jewish community. And this policy, characteristic of court factors, contributed to the advancement of the House of Rothschild. The daughters entered the families of Worms, Sichel, Bayfus, and Montefiore.

It was the sons of Mayer Rothschild, who later became financial tycoons in Germany, England, Austria, Italy and France, who prepared a real “financial explosion”.

This was the time when money capital came to the fore. Wealth, which had been lying in vain until then, was put into circulation, and the demand for money increased significantly. In the era of revolutionary upheavals, some states collapsed, others were created. The intermediaries in this redistribution of cash - banking firms - became its main collectors, and among European firms, the Rothschild banking house took first place.

But winning a monopoly position was decisive for its advancement. In this he was helped by the military adviser Buderus, who was appointed in 1802 as director of the main military treasury at the court of Kassel. From that time on, the House of Rothschild began to quickly outstrip all competitors. In 1802, Rothschild the elder opened a branch in Kassel to remain in close contact with the court and palace officials. By a resolution dated September 16, 1802, that is, quite late, he was exempted from paying taxes that were imposed on all Jewish merchants. It is surprising that the court factor Rothschild had to wait so long for the benefits usually immediately granted to court financiers.

From 1801 to 1806, Rothschild issued five loans worth almost 5 million guilders. His close relations with the court of Hesse strengthened, and he truly used on a wide scale the method used by all court factors of that era. To gain the favor of influential courtiers and government officials, they often resorted to gifts and bribes. Rothschild managed to attract Hessian officials to cooperate in financial matters. When Buderus was appointed chief tax collector at the land treasury of Hanau, Rothschild represented his interests in Frankfurt. After his patron became an authoritative adviser to the Landgrave, Rothschild constantly received lucrative orders in Kassel.

Many court bankers had good relations with the court in Kassel, for example the Christian firms of Rüppel and Garnier, the Bethmann brothers, Preje and Jordis, Gebgard and Gauck in Frankfurt. Wittgenstein's credit office was located in Kassel, and the company Van Noten & Goll & Co. was located in Amsterdam. But they did not have such patrons as Buderus. For example, the influential house of Rüppel and Garnier managed to maintain its dominant position at the Kassel court only until 1803, that is, until the time when Buderus became director of the military treasury. Officials already earned money on each transaction, since they were entitled to one percent of the amount issued as a side income.

In 1805–1806, Rothschild was already significantly ahead of his competitors. When Wilhelm, fleeing from Napoleon, was forced to flee and lived in exile for many years, the main court agent Rothschild managed to achieve a monopoly position in financing the Landgrave, of course, not without the support of his patron, who by this time had already become a secret military adviser, Buderus von Karlshausen . Tom managed to surpass military adviser Lenier, friend of Ruppel and Garnier, and become the sole manager of affairs. By putting Rüppel and Garnier at a disadvantage, he tried to emphasize everywhere the selflessness of the House of Rothschild.

Rothschild went into exile with Wilhelm. During these years, he faithfully served his prince and especially distinguished himself by saving part of the Hessian fortune. Of course, such relations between the prince and the court factor also had a beneficial effect on the financial affairs of the latter, since even in emigration, William IX remained the largest capitalist among the German princes. In 1808, Rothschild had already become so advanced that all the Elector's surplus and incidental money was regularly sent to the bank of the House of Rothschild.

The collaboration between the Rothschilds and Buderus eventually resulted in the text of a document dated February 17, 1809, which read:

“The following agreement was concluded today between the secret military adviser Buderus von Karlshausen and the Mayer Amschel Rothschild Trading House in Frankfurt. house in all trading matters and, if possible, be useful to him.. In turn, the Mayer Amschel Rothschild Trading House promises to faithfully transfer to Buderus the profit from trading operations due on the invested capital of 20 thousand guilders, and allows him to check at any time all books for greater confidence in the correctness of the calculations.”

Thus, Buderus became an investor in the House of Rothschild, and therefore was personally interested in Mayer Amschel receiving a monopoly on the conduct of the financial affairs of the Elector.

This agreement, the only one of its kind in the history of the German institution of court factors, corresponded to the interests of all its participants. The land prince's capital continued to increase, the inconspicuous court servant became a rich man, and the Frankfurt banker and merchant laid the foundation for the prosperity of his company. It would be wrong to evaluate this treaty from the point of view of modern morality. According to the ideas of that time, there was nothing offensive in the custom of presenting gifts and accepting them, and, as can be concluded from surviving memoirs, this was also the custom in the 19th century.

As Mayer Amschel began to grow old and ill, his sons often replaced him on business trips. The secrets of all business transactions remained within the family circle. Already in their youth, both eldest sons were agents of the Hessian military treasury. But a special distinction for father and sons was Rothschild’s appointment as an imperial factor at the court of Franz II for his services, “as payment in installments of what I owe him.”

Rothschild did not forget his roots in the ghetto and his responsibilities to the Jewish community. In contrast, his sons crossed the border of the “old way” and bourgeois moderation, moved to large European cities - Vienna, London, Paris, Naples, expanding the influence of the family and acting on a European scale.

In September 1810, Mayer Amschel founded the company Mayer Amschel Rothschild and Sons, making his five sons co-owners of the company. The contract specified a fixed capital of 800 thousand florins, while 370 thousand florins were to belong to the father, sons Amschel and Solomon - 185 thousand each, Charles and the still minor James - 30 thousand each. Nathan, who had lived in London for many years, was not mentioned in the contract for business reasons. In fact, Mayer took over twelve fiftieths of the shares due to Nathan. In all matters, the decisive voice remained with Mayer Amschel, since he “with the help of the Almighty, thanks to his diligence acquired in his youth, insight in business, despite his advanced age, continues to work tirelessly and alone laid the foundations for the prosperity of the business, thereby ensuring happiness of their children."

Further in the agreement there was a definition according to which daughters and sons-in-law should not seek permission to view books and other documents. A conventional fine was provided for each partner if he decided to go to court. Disputes between brothers should be resolved within the family in order to maintain the unity of the home. The agreement especially noted the merits of Mayer Amschel and said that he laid the foundations for the prosperity of the house. But today, from various sources, it is well known what an active part Buderus took in this, and his eldest sons also helped in many ways.

Two years later, when Mayer Amschel felt that he would soon die, he called the whole house and made a new will instead of the previous one. It said that he was selling his share in the company, securities and wine warehouse for 190 thousand florins to his sons, who would become independent owners of the company. Daughters, their husbands and heirs were completely removed from the activities of the Trading House, and not just from viewing books. Of the 190 thousand, Mayer left seventy to Frau Gutle, the rest of the money was received by his five daughters. At the end of his will, Mayer Amschel advised his children to live in harmony, love and friendship. Two days after drawing up the will, on September 19, 1812, Mayer Amschel passed away. It is unlikely that he suspected that he had laid the foundation for the “power of the world.”

There is no exact information about the founder of the banking house, there is no portrait of him. At the age of 25, Mayer Amschel was portrayed as a tall, slender man of a distinctly Israeli type with a good-natured expression. According to the customs of that time, he wore a wig, but, being a Jew, he did not dare to powder it. Like his ancestors, he had a small black pointed beard. Despite his wealth, he did not leave the ghetto; he remained an inconspicuous, patient, not very educated Jew. He didn't even speak German well.

In popular literature you can read that the sons of Mayer Amschel began their activities as already millionaires, and their grandchildren were even billionaires, but all this is greatly exaggerated. At first, none of the sons had millions, including Nathan, who lived in London. They, of course, had substantial capital, but they earned the millions that appeared at the end of their lives themselves. Subsequent generations of the Rothschilds became billionaires, already in the 20th century.

The secret of the success of Mayer Amschel's sons lies primarily in strict adherence to the basic principles that their father constantly instilled in them.

The diplomat, publicist and intimate friend of Prince Metternich, Friedrich von Gentz, who maintained friendly relations with all the Rothschilds until the end of his life, tried to penetrate the secret of their success and came to the following conclusions:

“The question of how the House of Rothschild was able to achieve in such a short time everything that they actually achieved, no doubt interested mercantile and political minds. Apparently, it is not as difficult to answer as is usually thought. Whoever, without dwelling on chance, is able to understand that success in all great undertakings depends not only on the choice and use of a favorable moment, but to a greater extent also on strict adherence to the main principles once learned, it will immediately become clear that there were two main provisions , which this house has never lost sight of. Along with wise business management and the use of favorable market conditions, it is to them that they mainly owe their current prosperity.”

The first of these fundamental principles encouraged the brothers to always conduct business in constant commonwealth. It was a legacy left by a dying father. And even when a lucky star rose above them, they were determined never to break this rule.

After the death of their father, any proposal, no matter from which side it came, was the subject of joint discussion; they carried out even the most insignificant operation according to a pre-agreed plan, making common efforts. Profits were always shared equally.

For many years they lived far from each other: Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Paris, Naples. But this circumstance did not interfere with their complete mutual understanding. On the contrary, they derived some benefit from this, since they were always informed about the state of affairs in various capitals. And everyone in his own city could more expediently prepare the affairs that should be carried out by the entire company.

The second basic principle, which they never lost sight of, was never to pursue an exorbitantly high profit, to keep any operation within certain limits and, as far as human foresight and wisdom allow, to protect oneself from accidents. In this basic rule: Servare modum finemgue tenare - to know when to stop and never lose sight of the goal - lies one of the main secrets of their strength.

The personal moral qualities of the five brothers also had a significant influence on the success of their enterprise. It is not at all difficult to create a large party if you manage to interest others in your work. But in order to unite the voices of all parties and achieve their respect, you need not only material means, but also certain character traits that do not depend on power and wealth. Thanks to the fairness of their demands, punctuality of actions, simplicity and clarity of presentation of proposals and their precise execution, they have invariably enjoyed the confidence of many governments and noble families of Europe, which is one of the decisive factors in the prosperity of any bank.

The brothers' cooperation and mutual support were almost legendary.

In the 19th century, the five brothers issued government loans for almost all countries, which gave the House of Rothschild the opportunity to turn into an absolute financial monarchy. Berne wrote about the five financiers: “The stable balance in Europe was maintained by the Jews. Today they give money to one government, tomorrow to another, to everyone in turn, and thus take care of world peace.” We will see further that the grandson of the court factor Berne very aptly described the position of the Rothschilds at that time.

The question has repeatedly arisen as to why the House of Rothschild did not have its own branches in Berlin and St. Petersburg. The banks of the Mendelssohn and Bleichröder Jews established themselves in Berlin, in addition to numerous small banks. It was Bleichröder's bank that established close relations with the Prussian state, with the Hohenzollerns and with Prince Bismarck. Therefore, the Rothschilds decided to cooperate with Bleichroeder's bank, making it their representative in Prussia. The leading financial force in St. Petersburg was the Stieglitz house. When the Rothschilds tried to settle there, Baron Stieglitz, personally appealing to the Tsar, prevented the opening of a branch of the “Jew” Rothschild.

Without compromising the close and trusting relationships with each other, each brother was able, in his own narrower sphere, to maintain excellent relations with competent and influential members of the government. Their information service is still amazing, always promptly notifying about all political and financial intentions. If the brothers intended to obtain a large and, above all, long-term government loan or to achieve a monopoly position in any particular economic field, they were not afraid to win ministers, parties and even parliaments to their side with huge bribes. James, who worked in France, used this system on a special scale.

But in the 19th century, five brothers were not only involved in financial matters, not only “raking in” money for the sake of money, as they said about them. Like Oppenheim's house in Cologne, they were early to foresee the profitable possibilities of the Industrial Revolution. In England, France, Germany and Austria, the brothers developed extensive economic activity, investing their fortune in large industrial enterprises and in land ownership. They were considered the largest landowners in their countries.

The constant unity of the five brothers could not be hindered by the fact that various political movements of subsequent decades influenced their beliefs. England and France, the so-called Western powers, pursued a liberal policy, therefore the entrepreneurial activities of the brothers Nathan and James in relation to the government were freer and more relaxed. Amschel in Frankfurt and Solomon in Vienna, like their successors, remained closely associated with the ruling dynasties, were conservative and maintained closer relations with the aristocratic circles of their countries. Karl Mayer in Naples, being a Jewish financier, even had connections with the Vatican and was awarded the highest orders of the papacy for loans provided. It was the conservative power of Austria that elevated the Rothschild brothers to the nobility and subsequently awarded each the title of imperial baron.

Rothschild persistently sought for himself and his sons the title of imperial court factor. On August 28, 1799, Mayer Amschel from Frankfurt sent a request to Vienna, indicating that during the war against France he carried out significant supplies, and mentioning his other merits. In response, Mayer Amschel Rothschild and his sons, Amschel Mayer and Solomon Mayer, received a patent of imperial court factors dated March 7, March 8 and May 4, 1800. Each was issued a separate patent, which is surprising since the father and sons were supposed to receive this title in the same document.

When the Grand Duchy of Frankfurt was formed by the grace of Napoleon, the Rothschilds became the financiers of the new Prince Dahlberg. For his financial support of the Frankfurt contingent fighting on the side of France in Spain in 1810, Meyer Amschel was appointed advisor to the department.

Amschel Mayer Rothschild was also a valid court factor of Prince Karl Friedrich Ludwig Moritz von Isenburg-Büdingen from July 15, 1803, and on December 29 of the same year he became a court factor of the Master of the Order of St. John, on January 4, 1804 he was assigned to the Prince of Thurn and Taxis.

How strongly the Rothschilds aspired to become court bankers is evidenced by their position in the house of Prince Isenburg-Birstein, where the chief financier was Treasury Advisor Wolf Breidenbach. Rothschild worked with him. His son Amschel became a court factor in Isenburg-Birstein on August 29, 1803. As a reward, he had to be content with free delivery of firewood to his apartment in Frankfurt. On November 7, 1803, the prince gave orders to deliver firewood to the newly appointed court factor throughout the year. Rothschild, in turn, provided the debt-ridden Birstein house with a loan of 50 thousand guilders. For a small country this was a very large amount. In this case, Breidenbach was a mediator. He paid the due interest to his Frankfurt colleague. And in subsequent years, Rothschild and sons worked at the court of Isenburg-Birstein.

In 1815, as intermediaries with Lord Wellington and Lord Castleruff, the Rothschilds sought subsidies for Birstein in Paris and London in order to be closer to their money. But here the mediation of Breidenbach and Rothschild was unsuccessful. The very fact that in 1803 the Rothschilds, having by that time a decent fortune, were content with the delivery of firewood as a reward, testifies primarily to the desire to show the whole world that they are in the princely service.

In December 1812, Mayer Amschel Rothschild and his sons became court bankers of the Grand Duke of Frankfurt.

From recently discovered documents of the state archive of Würzburg it follows that, according to the order of the Prince of Aschaffenburg dated December 16, 1813, the court bankers of the Grand Duke of Frankfurt were given as annual remuneration on January 1, 1813: 72 centners of hay, 72 malter of oats, 10 cartloads of straw, 30 fathoms of wood. This payment in kind was granted to Rothschild and his sons for life for their service to the Grand Duchy. In 1813 they were also sent food from the Aschaffenburg wine cellar.

Later, when, in the course of political changes, the Principality of Aschafenburg was annexed to the crown of Bavaria, the Rothschilds asked to retain this payment, citing the fact that they had selflessly served Frankfurt, and therefore Aschafenburg, by readily providing significant loans: “At that time, when the treasury was completely empty and the state was in great difficulties, no one dared to offer such a loan. No money has yet been received, so such payment in kind could be considered as compensation due to us for the losses we incurred by lending out substantial capital.”

From the documents attached below it follows that in 1813 the House of Rothschild offered Prince Dalberg a loan of 200 thousand florins to cover the costs of paying the army. The Grand Duke accepted this money and, as a sign of gratitude, ordered that in addition to firewood, feed for the horses should also be supplied. All the efforts of the Rothschilds to continue to receive payment in kind, but now from Bavaria as the heiress of Aschaffenburg, were unsuccessful. The word “for life” does not appear in subsequent documents. Negotiations ended with an act of 1817. It was believed that the Rothschilds already owned millions at this time, and their petitions indicate that they attached great importance to government salaries.

The collaboration between Dahlberg and Rothschild primarily benefited the Frankfurt co-religionists. Like all court factors, Mayer Amschel tried to ease the fate of the Jews with his influence. At the same time, the Rothschilds acted together with Jacob Baruch, the son of the famous Cologne court financier Simon Baruch and the father of Ludwig Berne. Mayer Amschel gained Dahlberg's favor by offering him a loan of 80 thousand guilders at 5% interest for a trip to Paris, where the Grand Duke of Frankfurt was going to swear allegiance to the new king of Rome. Out of a feeling of hostility towards Napoleon, the commercial world of Frankfurt refused him this amount. “Thanks to this service, he achieved the full confidence of the Grand Duke and managed to take advantage of this favor so much that since then the Duke has not refused anything to the Rothschilds,” was written in one of the French messages.

The Rothschilds also got along well with Herr von Itzstein, the chief of police of the Grand Duchy. Itzstein was the patron of Mayer Amschel and all the Jews of Frankfurt. Although Dahlberg issued a new decree with some benefits for 500 families in Frankfurt, this unsatisfactory decision was rejected by the influential Privy Councilor Israel Jacobson, a passionate fighter for the emancipation of the Jews.

Mayer Amschel and his co-religionist Gumprecht managed to persuade Dahlberg to free Jews from the annual tax of 22 thousand florins and give them civil rights in order to equalize them with Christians. As payment for this, Dahlberg demanded a one-time payment of twenty times the amount. Mayer Amschel gave his co-religionists 100 thousand florins, almost a quarter of the amount. In addition, he ensured that of these 440 thousand florins, 150 were paid in cash, and the rest - in 24 bonds “au porteur” (to bearer). The Senate, which was hostile towards the Jews, was dissatisfied with this deal. The aristocratic elite of the city believed that Dalberg received a “gift.” One of the Austrian police agents allegedly stated that the Grand Duke received 33 thousand Caroline for emancipation. Dahlberg was so delighted with the “skilfully completed business” that he presented the ministers who concluded the deal and their wives with 40 thousand francs each. Privy Councilor Itzstein received 10 thousand francs, the House of Rothschild - the same amount “for good assistance.” Dahlberg left 50 thousand “in the hands of the House of Rothschild, as payment in installments of what I owe him.”

Of the five brothers, the third, Nathan, had a brilliant talent as a financier. He contributed most to the prosperity and increase in the authority of the House of Rothschild. Thanks to the service zeal shown during the Napoleonic wars, he was able to gain the full confidence of English politicians and enjoyed it throughout the fifty years of his activity. Just as his father Mayer Amschel faithfully served the Elector of Hesse for half a century, Nathan in London constantly collaborated with John Charles Harris, who was first the private secretary of the English Chancellor of the Exchequer, then the chief of supply for the Allies and British troops fighting on the continent, and in the end ends and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In 1798, Nathan moved to England, where, as his father's agent, he bought factory products in Manchester, thus becoming a merchant useful to the House of Rothschild. Later, Nathan told one of the guests about his endeavors:

“There was too little space in Frankfurt for all of us. I did business with English goods. One day an Englishman arrived who completely owned the market. He pretended to be a great man and acted as if he was doing us a favor by selling us his goods. I somehow offended him and he refused to show me his samples. This happened on Tuesday. Then I told my father: “I will go to England myself!” I only spoke German, but that meant nothing to me. I already left on Thursday. The closer England was, the cheaper English goods became. Arriving in Manchester, I spent all my cash on purchases. Everything was very cheap and I made a big profit. I soon realized that there was a triple benefit to be gained from this venture: making money on raw materials, coloring and making money on my own. I said to the manufacturer: “I will supply you with raw materials and paint, and you will supply me with the finished goods.” Thus, I made a triple profit and began to sell cheaper than others.”

In a short time, Nathan Rothschild received 60 thousand pounds from 20 thousand pounds sterling, a double profit. To achieve success, he used only one principle: “What others can do, I can do too.” “So I reached the level of that Englishman with the samples and many others. I had one more advantage: I became a businessman on the spur of the moment, without any preparation. I took everything with me and concluded an agreement on the spot,” he later recalled.

In 1803 Nathan moved to London, and in 1803 or 1804 he founded the still existing bank there, Nathan Mayer Rothschild and Sons. In 1812, James created the company "De Rothschild Freres" ("Rothschild Brothers") in Paris. In 1816, Solomon opened the banking house “S. M. von Rothschild”, in 1820 Karl Mayer von Rothschild became head of the Naples branch. The family house in Frankfurt was led by Amschel Mayer von Rothschild. These five Rothschild brothers, as they were called the “Five Frankfurters,” ran all the banks as a single joint venture. Their commonwealth, first of all, reduced the risk possible with large government loans. The so-called pool agreements ensured a community of interests. Every three to five years the brothers met at a society meeting.

These “five fingers of one hand” managed to enjoy a certain international privilege to issue large government loans until the end of the 18th century.

The largest financial transactions took place between the rise of Napoleon I and the overthrow of Napoleon III. Until his death, Nathan, living in London, was the main driving and directing force in all these operations. His success in England is closely connected with the Elector of Hesse, who in 1809 established a connection with Nathan through Buderus. In February 1809, Nathan received an order to buy a three percent English annuity 2 at a rate of 73.5% for 150 thousand pounds sterling. Since the pound was equal to 11 florins, Buderus had to pay Rothschild 1 million 212 thousand 750 florins.

In December, the Elector decided to purchase capital in English shares in the amount of 150 thousand pounds on the same conditions. The Elector was pleased that he had been able to reliably invest his surplus, which amounted annually to at least 750 thousand florins. In September 1810, a new agreement followed for the purchase of English shares for 150 thousand pounds at a rate of 74%. When Rothschild reduced prices to 73%, the capital increased to 250 thousand pounds. Thus, in 1809-1810, Nathan Rothschild was instructed to buy up a three percent annuity for £550,000. The purchase price of the Elector was 3 million 240 thousand 875 florins. This deal was the most profitable of all the deals that the Rothschild banking house had with the Elector, which contributed to the rapid promotion of the branch in London.

The purchase of annuities was carried out so that the firm of Rothschild and Sons could use the Elector's money for short-term profitable activities before their final investment.

During these same years, Nathan in London and James in France carried out major transactions in the purchase and mediation of the exchange of gold for the allies against Napoleon, so it is fair to assume that financial transactions were carried out for the Elector's millions. Nathan Rothschild was forced to serve the English financial administration. From 1808 to 1816, many millions were transferred from England to the Allies on the Continent. In one year alone this amount amounted to £11 million.

The British government commissioned a banking house to transfer money for the British army in Spain. The money had to be smuggled through France. Here James Rothschild showed all his skill as a banker. He managed to mislead the French authorities by presenting the transfer of money by the British as a manifestation of their weakness. Napoleon and the French departments did not even try to delve into the true essence of the matter. This action greatly contributed to the defeat of Napoleon, of which Nathan was rightly proud: “When I opened a trade in London, a company from East India sold gold worth 800 thousand pounds sterling. I bought everything because I knew that the Duke of Wellington needed the gold. I purchased a large number of his bills at a low price. They called me to the government and said that they needed this gold, but they did not know how it could be delivered through Portugal to Spain. I took up this matter and sent the money through France. This was the most successful of all my ventures."

This was truly one of the Rothschilds' most daring deeds. Nathan and James carried out the transfer through France so successfully that since then the English government began to trust Nathan with the largest financial transactions. For example, on behalf of the government, he bought a bill of exchange in Paris for 200 thousand pounds, which was necessary to finance the return of Louis XVIII to the French throne.

After Napoleon's dethronement, the Rothschild apparatus transferred £120 million in French reparations from Paris to London, Vienna and Berlin. The capital of the Rothschild banks was sufficient to offer such millions of sums. No banking firm on the continent could carry out such a financial transaction, let alone large loans.

In 1904, the year of the London firm's anniversary, a catalog of loans from 1804 to 1904 was published. How complete it was remains unclear, nor whether it was loans from all five houses, but it is assumed that the Rothschilds had affairs that their descendants never knew about. But even these loans perfectly reflect the politics of the 19th century. The data presented completely refute the assertion that the Rothschilds were not involved in politics and were only interested in money. It is known that the borrowing policy of the House of Rothschild during the crises of 1830 and 1840 prevented war in Europe, and in 1866 they did not give money to either Prussia or Austria. Their financial transactions after 1815 were far from any wars. But even the financial power of the House of Rothschild was beyond the power to completely stop the bloody massacres in the world.

By offering a loan to Brazil in 1824, the Rothschilds expanded beyond Europe. Until the end of the 19th century, the Brazilian Empire remained financially the domain of the Rothschilds.

A loan granted to Greece in 1832 under guarantees from England, France and Russia gave Athens the opportunity to form an independent monarchy.

As is known, the French reparations to Germany in 1870–1871 were accelerated on the French side by Rothschild, and on the German side by Gerson Bleichroeder, Bismarck’s confidant. Receiving these 5 billion francs was a great achievement for N. M. Rothschild and Sons” together with the banking house of Baring Brothers, where two billion francs were first collected, then in 1872 another three billion francs. Bankers and financiers, led by the company N. M. Rothschild and Sons” guaranteed the stability of the exchange rate. This major action of five billion, carried out jointly with Baron Alphonse von Rothschild of Paris, became possible only because the Rothschild family and their friends mobilized all their sources and all their energies.

Another significant political operation is the acquisition of 49.3% of the capital stock of the Suez Canal. For this, the English government needed almost 80 million. It was necessary to act very quickly. Rothschild presented the money immediately. It is not surprising that Prime Minister Disraeli exclaimed: “The Rothschilds cannot be superfluous.”

When England abolished slavery, Nathan provided a loan of 15 million pounds to compensate slave owners.

What the Rothschilds had at stake during the wartime upheaval can be understood from James' letter to his brother Solomon in 1830: “We still have 18 million francs worth of nominal French rent. If peace remains, we will get 75%, and if war breaks out, then 45%... Believe me, in my opinion, now a lot depends on Prince [Metternich]; if he wants peace... then there will be peace.”

Nathan had four sons and three daughters. During his lifetime, he bequeathed about 800 thousand pounds to his children. In addition, each of his sons inherited another 120–150 thousand pounds, in addition to the trading capital. Nathan died on August 8, 1836. The pompous funeral in London demonstrated the power and power Rothschild had acquired in England. The coffin was followed by ambassadors of the great powers, the Lord Mayor, sheriffs, members of the municipality, and the whole of London was on its feet. The management of the common house now passed to James in Paris. Nathan's son Lionel became the head of the company in London. When he was elected to the House of Commons for the fourth time in 1858, his friendship with the Conservative Disraeli gave him the opportunity to carry out the complete emancipation of Jews in England.

James Rothschild, at the very beginning of his activities, was only an agent for his brother Nathan in Paris. After the overthrow of Napoleon, he gradually began to delve into the financial affairs of the family bank and take part in large government loans and the affairs of exchanges and industrial enterprises. Being an enemy of Napoleon, he quickly established good relations with the returning Bourbons. When the Bourbons were overthrown as a result of the July Revolution, the Parisian banking house managed to get into contact with the bourgeois king Louis Philippe of the House of the Line of Orleans.

He maintained constant contact with leading ministers, so he was always aware of their plans. It often happened that the texts of their speeches in parliament were known to him even before they were delivered. He, like no one else, could choose the right time and the right place to present a gift (Douceurs). Using the same method, James Rothschild attracted the press to his side. Although the Rothschilds did not found any newspapers, they had a significant influence on the political direction of the press. Using various Douceurs, James was able to attract prominent publicists to his side. The famous poet Heinrich Heine was a frequent guest in the house of James Rothschild. Heine often made money on James’ stock transactions, and accepted “gifts” without undue modesty. On holidays and celebrations, James willingly surrounded himself with scientists and artists. He wanted to be known not only as “King Rothschild I”, but also as a philanthropist.

The first financial actions in which James took part concerned the transformation of the previous five percent government loans into three percent. Among other government loans, one should particularly mention loans to the pope, where James, taking advantage of the opportunity, invested the money of his fellow believers in the theocratic state. The diplomat Kurt von Schlözer spoke in his letters about the profits James received from speculation on the stock exchange. On May 23, 1864, Baron Alexander von Stieglitz, director of the Russian State Bank, a descendant of the court financier from Arolsen, visited his colleague James Rothschild, who told him that he unexpectedly won 24 million on the stock exchange. Turning to Stieglitz, he admitted that nothing like this had ever happened on the stock exchange.

Within a quarter of a century, James had become the second richest man, only the king's wealth was greater. Heine somewhat angrily describes James’s position in the mid-19th century: “I have seen people who, approaching the great baron, shuddered as if they were touching a voltaic pole. Already at the door of his office, many are seized with the sacred awe of awe that Moses experienced on Mount Horeb when he noticed that he was standing on sacred ground. Just as Moses took off his shoes, so any broker or exchange agent, daring to cross the threshold of Mr. Rothschild’s personal office, first of all took off his boots, unless he was afraid that his feet would smell even worse and this smell will embarrass Mister Baron. James's personal office actually seems like an amazing place, evoking sublime thoughts and feelings, like the view of the ocean or the sky dotted with stars: here you can feel how insignificant man is and how great God is! And money is God in our time, and Rothschild is his prophet.”

Nathan drew the brothers' attention to how profitable railroad construction could be. He encouraged them to get involved, and the Rothschilds did contribute to the construction of a network of railways in France, Belgium and Austria.

To obtain the privilege to build the Northern Road in France, James spared no expense. When the railway company issued 400 thousand shares at 500 francs, parliament and the press were bribed. Members of both legislative chambers received 15 thousand shares worth 4.5 million as Douceurs. The press was silenced in the same way. The editors of individual newspapers received 70, 100 and 150 shares as gifts, depending on the importance of the publication. All newspapers were silent, only National was an exception. Its editor, to whom Rothschild had sent one hundred shares, rejected the gift and did not support Rothschild's railroad project. But Baron Rothschild still received the desired concession.

Here it would be appropriate to quote the remark of the Austrian State Chancellor Metternich, who, in one of his confidential letters to the ambassador in Paris, noted the financial power of Rothschild in France with the following words: “The banking house of Rothschild plays a much larger role in France than the government of any foreign state, perhaps , with the exception of England. There are objective reasons for this, which, of course, cannot be justified from a moral point of view: the main driving force in France is money. Corruption, practically the most significant element of the modern system of representation, is completely openly admitted.”

Although the Rothschilds invested large amounts of capital in European railways, their main profits came from successful speculative transactions in shares. James, for example, made more than forty million francs from railway securities, since the share price, due to the corresponding influence, rose by nine hundred francs in a short period of time. If the rate rose to a certain level, Rothschild sold shares. In this way he could compensate for the inevitable losses. So in 1856, the treasurer of the Northern Road went bankrupt for many millions.

When Napoleon III came to power, Rothschild was removed from the throne. The new emperor did not forget how his uncle was overthrown with the help of millions from the house of the “five Frankfurters”. But James gained the support of Empress Eugenie because, unlike other financiers, he supported Napoleon's marriage to the Spanish Countess of Montillo from the very beginning. But relations with Napoleon remained rather cool, even despite the visit that the emperor paid to James. On the contrary, Napoleon III tried to alienate the House of Rothschild by providing more favorable credit to the Pereira brothers and supporting their bank in every possible way. But the Rothschilds always managed to defeat any competitors, and the Pereire brothers were no exception.

Fuld, co-owner of the Oppenheim and Fuld banking house, became Napoleon III's financial adviser. Rothschild's enemy was also Duke von Morny, the emperor's half-brother. But nevertheless, James managed to achieve recognition, albeit through risky means. In Spain, mercury mines were leased in Almaden. When the Minister of Finance began to obstruct, he was bribed by Douceurs with 1.6 million francs. This was the largest “gift” that Rothschild had ever given, especially since another 500 thousand francs went into the queen’s casket. For this, the brothers achieved a monopoly on mercury mining in Europe. The exploitation of mercury deposits for thirty years brought them huge profits. In Spain they guaranteed £2.32 million of five percent mercury mortgages.

What James thought about Napoleon III and his regime can be understood from his statement: “I’empire, c’est la baisse,” which he, changing a well-known saying, formulated as follows: “L’empire, c’est la paix.” He was never destined to see the final fall – “baisse” – of Napoleon. On November 15, 1868, James died and was buried in the family crypt in Paris. From his marriage with his niece Betty, the daughter of his brother from Vienna, who was 13 years younger than him, six children were born, who, according to tradition, also chose life partners among members of their own family.

James began his career in the princely houses and rose to fame as a leading banker. His clients were the monarchs of Europe, whose wealth the Rothschilds significantly increased. When the first Belgian king, Leopold, died in 1865, the five million francs of his personal fortune entrusted to the House of Rothschild in 1848 increased to twenty million. When James died, the Kölnische Zeitung reported that the Frankfurter arrived in Paris with one million francs and left a fortune of two billion. This, of course, is greatly exaggerated, since such a huge fortune appeared among the Rothschilds only in the 20th century.

The history of the Neapolitan line of the House of Rothschild, founded by Karl Mayer, turned out to be brief but quite successful. He was the Royal Privy Commercial Councilor of Prussia, the Privy Financial Councilor to the Elector and Grand Duke of Hesse, and Consul General of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Duchy of Parma. With the support of James in Paris and Solomon in Vienna, he became banker to the popes, the Kingdom of Sicily, the Italian princes and the Sardinian prime minister Cavour.

Among the five brothers, Karl Mayer Rothschild was considered the least capable financier. He was a tough guy, very strict in his Orthodox Jewish rules. But, most importantly, Karl did not know how to quickly adapt to the environment in which he found himself. He was constantly under the influence of Solomon and James, who were interested in financial transactions in Italy. But Charles’s financial policy was constantly supported by Metternich, who had a significant influence on the politics of Italy. At all receptions, his magnificent and witty wife Adelheid came to the aid of Karl Rothschild. She knew how to win the sympathy of those around her and use it, like all Rothschilds, for the benefit of her coreligionists.

For Karl Mayer, Italy was a favorable place for commercial transactions, since here he dealt not with large states and powerful governments, like his brothers Nathan, James and Solomon, but with many small states, in the residences of whose rulers Karl Mayer could feel more comfortable. confident. Moreover, the fourth son of old Mayer Amschel rendered valuable services to the Neapolitan government even before he finally settled in Naples in 1824. He helped effect the financial separation of Naples from Sicily by providing the king with a loan of 4.5 million ducats. He was followed by 16 million, and later 20 million were given on the condition that his friend de Medici, exiled to Florence, could return back. With the next loan, Charles secured for his friend the Medici the position of Minister of Finance in order to have his confidant and skilled person in the government.

In England, that is, with the help of Nathan, Karl Mayer received a loan for Naples of 2.5 million pounds, 50 million marks - a huge amount for a state like Naples. But the Medici constantly ensured that the financial affairs of the kingdom were in perfect order.

Loans followed to Parma, Tuscany, Lucca and Sardinia, where the House of Rothschild encountered intense competition from the six Parisian banking houses, which did everything to break the almost unlimited financial power of the Rothschilds. It must be said that they managed to get the first French loan, carried out according to the plan of the Parisian city lottery. But the Rothschilds took revenge on their rivals by making sure that Paris tickets, and with them the securities of Sardinia, would fall in price. As a result, all six Parisian competitors became more cautious, and they lost the desire to fight the Rothschilds. The House of Rothschild also took part in the following loans for Sardinia. In 1850 he provided a loan of 80 million, and in 1853 a loan of 67 million francs.

On January 1832, Pope Gregory XVI gave an audience to Baron Karl Mayer von Rothschild and awarded his Jewish financier the Order of the Savior. In 1837, Dad received a new loan from James. In 1850, Pope Pius IX received 50 million francs from the Rothschilds at 5% interest in order to be able to return to Rome, from where he fled after the 1848 revolution. Thus, the Rothschilds helped the pope return to the Vatican. They used loan guarantees to alleviate the situation of their fellow believers in the Roman ghetto. In 1846, Pius IX exempted Jews from the obligation to attend a Christian sermon once a week. Karl Mayer’s wife, Baroness Adelheid, née Hertz, also took part in the fate of the Jews, who once, in an audience with Pius IX, complained about the poor living conditions in the Roman ghetto.

The family house in Frankfurt was led by the eldest of the five brothers, Amschel Mayer Rothschild.

He and his brother Solomon, who lived in Vienna, were court bankers to German princes and Austrian magnates, as evidenced by the long list of loans granted. It goes without saying that the financiers of the highest nobility were soon themselves ranked among the aristocratic strata of society. The Emperor of Austria elevated many court financiers to the nobility - the three Hoenig brothers, the three Wertheimer brothers, the Arnsteins, Eskeles and Hertz. In Bavaria, court bankers Aron Elias Seligman and Jacob Hirsch were included in the nobility. The turn came to the Rothschilds, besides, they had already been court factors for almost twenty years.

The elevation to the nobility took place at the request of the Minister of Finance, Count Stadion. First, Amschel received the title, and then Solomon. By this time, the brothers were at the head of the Frankfurt bill bank in Schönbrunn. This happened on September 25, 1816, and on October 21, the brothers Jacob and Karl received the title. On March 25, 1817, each was issued a diploma of nobility. At the request of the adviser to the government of Lower Austria and the court agent Sonleitner, the confidant of the four brothers, the diploma was awarded to each separately, since the brothers lived in four different countries.

It is characteristic that, as Jews, they were written down in the diploma as money changers, while financiers of the Christian faith were called bankers. In addition, Count Stadion considered that the only basis for elevation to the nobility was the case of English subsidies in 1815, which the brothers were able to carry out “with great care and precision,” “distinguishing themselves with special amenability and helpfulness.” As for the elder Rothschild, his name was not always written correctly in the acts of elevation to the nobility. At first he was called Mayer Amschel - that was the name of his father, who died in 1812 - then Amschel Mayer. Nathan, who lives in England, was not mentioned in these documents.

Viennese court financiers, soon after receiving the nobility, sought the title of baron, so the Rothschilds also petitioned for this title. On September 29, 1822, their request was granted. Now Nathan was also included in the documents, who immediately became a baron. This time the five brothers were named bankers. They became Austrian barons, “considering the services rendered to the state,” “with respectful address, Your Honor.” Once again, each of the five brothers received their own baronial diploma. Their coat of arms bore the motto: Concordia, Integritas, Industria (Concord. Honesty. Diligence).

This motto fully reflected the unanimity of the brothers, their honesty and tireless zeal. But receiving the title of baron hardly meant an increase in the authority of the Rothschilds. Nathan could not use his baronial title in England. This was contrary to the English constitution, which did not allow the granting of noble titles to foreigners. But still, elevation to the nobility changed the Rothschilds’ lifestyle. They acquired luxurious palaces and began to give magnificent dinners, which were attended by representatives of aristocratic circles from many countries. They were readily accepted by European aristocrats, especially German ones, while the bourgeoisie was rather reserved about this financial dynasty. For example, the Privy Councilor of Baden-Baden in 1861 denied Solomon Rothschild the right of citizenship, although the banker had rich estates there, and the authorities were forced to petition for granting him citizenship rights. And he, although he was an Austrian baron, could not become a citizen of Austria, since he was a Jew. Many more years passed until he became an honorary citizen of Vienna, a permanent resident of Austria.

State Chancellor Prince Metternich was the patron of the Rothschilds in Austria, and they provided many millions at the disposal of his regime. He also actively contributed to their elevation to the nobility. Therefore, it is not surprising that on September 23, 1817, the House of Rothschild provided the State Chancellor with a loan of 900 thousand guilders at 5%, which had to be repaid before 1834. But already in 1827, Metternich paid everything off! Financial actions were carried out properly and were never associated with bribery. There is no doubt that such financial assistance (and there were many other cases) imposed certain obligations on the statesman in relation to the financiers. More often than not, Metternich was inclined to support the wishes and plans of the Rothschilds.

Solomon, who lived in Frankfurt, was also a banker of the German Union, although it had its own well-known banking houses, such as the Bethmann brothers bank. But Metternich, together with P

Mayer Amschel Bauer (Rothschild) (German name - Mayer Amschel Bayern Rothschild), founder of an international dynasty of entrepreneurs, founder of a bank in Frankfurt am Main. The business was continued by his five sons: Amschel Mayer, Solomon Mayer, Nathan Mayer, Kalman Mayer, James Mayer. The brothers controlled 5 banks in the largest cities of Europe (Paris, London, Vienna, Naples, Frankfurt am Main). The family of young Mayer Amschel lived in a Jewish ghetto. His father Amschel Moses Bauer ran a small money changer's office under a red sign, which in German sounds like "Rot Schild". This is how the nickname appeared, which became a household name for luxury and wealth and laid the foundation for the 260-year-old Rothschild dynasty. When Mayer was twelve years old, he was sent to Hanover to study at Oppenheimer's bank. There he learned the secrets of finance, became acquainted with the coins of the German principalities, and learned to identify counterfeits and favorable exchange rates. After the death of his parents in 1760, Mayer returned to Frankfurt and continued his father’s business: he began exchanging and selling coins and medals. Very soon he became famous among antique lovers. Having saved money, Mayer opened his own antique shop, where it was possible to exchange money from one German principality for another. This is how the first Rothschild bank arose. At the beginning of his financial career he was a dealer in antique coins and medals. Through the mediation of his client General von Estorff, a collector of ancient coins, he meets Landgrave Wilhelm IX of Hesse-Kassel. Who made him his confidant during the Landgrave's flight to Prague from Napoleonic troops. Mayer Anschel Rothschild not only preserved capital, but also managed his multimillion-dollar fortune in such a way that it increased noticeably; the foundation of his own fortune dates back to this time. Rothschild was distinguished by exceptional business acumen. Transporting currency in those days was very expensive, and there was a risk of falling into the hands of robbers. Mayer found a very simple solution to the problem. He bought wool and cotton at low prices in England, and then sold them in Europe for much more. From 1764 Mayer Rothschild began supplying coins and gold to the princely house of Hesse-Kassel. And after five years, the head of the house, William I, appointed him as his personal banker. The duties of a court factor, such as Mayer, were to increase the prince’s treasury, cover his expenses for the army, luxury goods, and supply the court, stables, kitchen and cellars. If successful, the factor expected a reward in the form of a part of the prince’s income and respect at court; in case of failure, trial, ruin and even execution. Prince Wilhelm was known as one of the richest and most noble German princes, traded in mercenary armies and lived in grand style. In 1785, he profitably sold 17 thousand soldiers to the English King George III for the war with the American colonists. When the prince went into hiding, fleeing from Napoleon, Rothschild continued collecting money from his debtors, and was even able to increase the amount received. One day, Rothschild withdrew money from the prince’s compensation account in a British bank and used it to pay for goods. And since I paid in cash, I received a big discount. Mayer managed to avoid two operations at once: transporting money to England and counter-transporting the prince’s money to Frankfurt. Instead of money, Rothschild brought goods, sold them at a high price, repaid the debt to the prince and ended up with a big win. And since the prince received thalers, and the British paid in pounds, the banker also made money on the difference in exchange rates. At the age of 27, Mayer married 17-year-old Gutla Schnapper, the daughter of a local moneylender. The Rothschilds had 5 sons and 5 daughters: Jeanette (1771), Amschel (1773), Solomon (1774), Nathan (1777), Isabella (1781), Babette (1784), Karl (Kalman) (1788), Julie (1790) ), Henrietta (1791) and James (1792). Rothschild's five sons continued his work. They were called "Five Fingers of One Hand". On September 27, 1810, Mayer Amschel founded the company Mayer Amschel Rothschild and Sons. By putting into circulation the cash funds of the Elector, which were at his disposal, Rothschild the Father began to arrange government loans on an unprecedented scale. The increase remained in the hands of the banker family, and the wealth itself was returned by the Rothschild heirs to the Landgrave's successors. After Rothschild's death, his total capital was twice the assets of the Bank of France. His sons dispersed throughout Europe and subsequently created a whole network of banks. Amschel, the eldest son, managed all the affairs of the family home in Frankfurt. Nathan founded his company in London, James - in Paris, Solomon settled in Vienna, Karl - in Naples. Formally, they were independent from each other, but they had a common communication system - a courier service, which made it possible to receive news about the most important political events, about any stock market shocks, before anyone else. The Rothschilds’ ability to quickly collect information, and if necessary, spread misinformation, played a big role in the fact that the history of the house was closely intertwined with the history of Europe. The emblem of the Rothschild dynasty depicts five arrows connected by a chain, symbolizing the union of the five sons of the clan founder Mayer Amschel. Their motto was: “Concordia, Integritas, Industria” (Concord, Unity, Diligence).
The Rothschild Code for your children
1. All important positions in business should be held only by family members (and not employees); Only male descendants can participate in affairs; Only direct male heirs can inherit. The eldest son becomes the head of the family, unless the brothers unanimously agree otherwise (as happened in 1812, when Nathan was approved as head of the house).
2. Men of the family must marry their cousins ​​or second cousins ​​(so that the accumulated property remains within the family and serves the common cause). Daughters must marry aristocrats while maintaining their faith.
3. In any case, do not describe the family’s property, do not disclose the size of the fortune. Even in court or in a will. Disputes between brothers should be resolved within the family, maintaining the unity of the home.
4. Live in harmony, love and friendship, share profits equally.
5. “Never forget that modesty leads to wealth.”
Rothschild died in Frankfurt am Main on September 19, 1812.
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Material from Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia

Mayer Amschel Bauer (Rothschild)(German) Mayer Amschel Bayern Rothschild ; February 23 ( 17440223 ) , Frankfurt am Main - September 19, ibid.) - founder of an international dynasty of outstanding entrepreneurs (see Rothschilds), founder of a bank in Frankfurt am Main, freemason.

The business was continued by his five sons: Amschel Mayer, Solomon Mayer, Nathan Mayer, Kalman Mayer, James Mayer. The brothers controlled 5 banks in the largest cities of Europe (Paris, London, Vienna, Naples, Frankfurt am Main).

Biography

Young Mayer Amschel's family lived in a Jewish ghetto. His father Amschel Moses Bauer ran a small money changer's office under a red sign, which in German sounds like "Rot Schild". This is how the nickname appeared, which became a household name for luxury and wealth and laid the foundation for the 270-year-old Rothschild dynasty.

When Mayer was twelve years old, he was sent to Hanover to study at Oppenheimer's bank. There he learned the secrets of finance, became acquainted with the coins of the German principalities, and learned to identify counterfeits and favorable exchange rates.

After the death of his parents in 1760, Mayer returned to Frankfurt and continued his father’s business: he began exchanging and selling coins and medals. Very soon he became famous among antique lovers. Having saved money, Mayer opened his own antique shop, where it was possible to exchange money from one German principality for another. This is how the first Rothschild bank arose.

At the beginning of his financial career he was a dealer in antique coins and medals. Through the mediation of his client General von Estorf, a collector of ancient coins, he meets Landgrave Wilhelm IX of Hesse-Kassel. Who made him his confidant during the flight to Prague from Napoleonic troops. Mayer Amschel Rothschild not only preserved capital, but also managed his multimillion-dollar fortune in such a way that it increased noticeably; the foundation of his own fortune dates back to this time.

Rothschild was distinguished by exceptional business acumen. Transporting currency in those days was very expensive, and there was a risk of falling into the hands of robbers. Mayer found a very simple solution to the problem. He bought wool and cotton at low prices in England, and then sold them in Europe for much more.

From 1764 Mayer Rothschild began supplying coins and gold to the princely house of Hesse-Kassel. And after five years, the head of the house, William IX, appointed him as a personal banker and court supplier - goff factor. The duties of a court factor, such as Mayer, were to increase the prince’s treasury, cover his expenses for the army, luxury goods, and supply the court, stables, kitchen and cellars. If successful, the factor expected a reward in the form of a part of the prince’s income and respect at court; in case of failure, trial, ruin and even execution.

Landgrave Wilhelm IX was one of the richest and most noble German princes, traded in mercenary soldiers and lived in grand style. In 1785, he profitably sold 17 thousand soldiers to the English King George III for the war with the American colonists. When Wilhelm (who became Elector in 1803 under the name William I) went into hiding in 1806 to escape Napoleon, Rothschild continued collecting money from his debtors, and was even able to increase the amount received.

One day, Rothschild withdrew money from the Landgrave's compensation account in a British bank and used it to pay for goods. And since I paid in cash, I received a big discount. Mayer managed to avoid two operations at once: transporting money to England and counter-transporting money to Frankfurt. Instead of money, Rothschild brought goods, sold them at a high price, repaid the debt to the Landgrave and ended up with a big win. And since William IX received thalers, and the British paid in pounds, the banker also made money on the difference in exchange rates.

At the age of 27, Mayer married 17-year-old Gutla Schnapper, the daughter of a local moneylender. The Rothschilds had 5 sons and 5 daughters: Jeanette (1771), Amschel (1773), Solomon (1774), Nathan (1777), Isabella (1781), Babette (1784), Karl (Kalman) (1788), Julie (1790) ), Henrietta (1791) and James (1792).

Rothschild's five sons continued his work. They were called "Five Fingers of One Hand". On September 27, 1810, Mayer Amschel founded the company Mayer Amschel Rothschild and Sons. By putting into circulation the elector's cash at his disposal, Rothschild the father began to arrange government loans on an unprecedented scale. The increase remained in the hands of the banker family, and the wealth itself was returned by the Rothschild heirs to the Landgrave's successors.

After Rothschild's death, his total capital was twice the assets of the Bank of France. His sons dispersed throughout Europe and subsequently created a whole network of banks. Amschel, the eldest son, managed all the affairs of the family home in Frankfurt. Nathan founded his company in London, James - in Paris, Solomon settled in Vienna, Karl - in Naples. Formally, they were independent from each other, but they had a common communication system - a courier service, which made it possible to receive news about the most important political events, about any stock market shocks, before anyone else. The Rothschilds’ ability to quickly collect information, and if necessary, spread misinformation, played a big role in the fact that the history of the house was closely intertwined with the history of Europe.

Emblem of the Rothschild Dynasty

The emblem of the Rothschild dynasty depicts five arrows connected by a chain, symbolizing the union of the five sons of the clan founder Mayer Amschel. Their motto was: “Concordia, Integritas, Industria” (Concord, Unity, Diligence).

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Excerpt characterizing Rothschild, Mayer Amschel

Marya Genrikhovna agreed and began to look for a spoon, which someone had already grabbed.
“You finger, Marya Genrikhovna,” said Rostov, “it will be even more pleasant.”
- It's hot! - said Marya Genrikhovna, blushing with pleasure.
Ilyin took a bucket of water and, dripping some rum into it, came to Marya Genrikhovna, asking him to stir it with his finger.
“This is my cup,” he said. - Just put your finger in, I’ll drink it all.
When the samovar was all drunk, Rostov took the cards and offered to play kings with Marya Genrikhovna. They cast lots to decide who would be Marya Genrikhovna's party. The rules of the game, according to Rostov’s proposal, were that the one who would be king would have the right to kiss Marya Genrikhovna’s hand, and that the one who would remain a scoundrel would go and put a new samovar for the doctor when he woke up.
- Well, what if Marya Genrikhovna becomes king? – Ilyin asked.
- She’s already a queen! And her orders are law.
The game had just begun when the doctor’s confused head suddenly rose from behind Marya Genrikhovna. He had not slept for a long time and listened to what was said, and, apparently, did not find anything cheerful, funny or amusing in everything that was said and done. His face was sad and despondent. He did not greet the officers, scratched himself and asked permission to leave, as his way was blocked. As soon as he came out, all the officers burst into loud laughter, and Marya Genrikhovna blushed to tears and thereby became even more attractive in the eyes of all the officers. Returning from the yard, the doctor told his wife (who had stopped smiling so happily and was looking at him, fearfully awaiting the verdict) that the rain had passed and that she had to go spend the night in the tent, otherwise everything would be stolen.
- Yes, I’ll send a messenger... two! - said Rostov. - Come on, doctor.
– I’ll watch the clock myself! - said Ilyin.
“No, gentlemen, you slept well, but I didn’t sleep for two nights,” said the doctor and gloomily sat down next to his wife, waiting for the end of the game.
Looking at the gloomy face of the doctor, looking askance at his wife, the officers became even more cheerful, and many could not help laughing, for which they hastily tried to find plausible excuses. When the doctor left, taking his wife away, and settled into the tent with her, the officers lay down in the tavern, covered with wet overcoats; but they didn’t sleep for a long time, either talking, remembering the doctor’s fright and the doctor’s amusement, or running out onto the porch and reporting what was happening in the tent. Several times Rostov, turning over his head, wanted to fall asleep; but again someone’s remark entertained him, a conversation began again, and again causeless, cheerful, childish laughter was heard.

At three o'clock no one had yet fallen asleep when the sergeant appeared with the order to march to the town of Ostrovne.
With the same chatter and laughter, the officers hastily began to get ready; again they put the samovar on dirty water. But Rostov, without waiting for tea, went to the squadron. It was already dawn; the rain stopped, the clouds dispersed. It was damp and cold, especially in a wet dress. Coming out of the tavern, Rostov and Ilyin, both in the twilight of dawn, looked into the doctor’s leather tent, shiny from the rain, from under the apron of which the doctor’s legs stuck out and in the middle of which the doctor’s cap was visible on the pillow and sleepy breathing could be heard.
- Really, she’s very nice! - Rostov said to Ilyin, who was leaving with him.
- What a beauty this woman is! – Ilyin answered with sixteen-year-old seriousness.
Half an hour later the lined up squadron stood on the road. The command was heard: “Sit down! – the soldiers crossed themselves and began to sit down. Rostov, riding forward, commanded: “March! - and, stretching out in four people, the hussars, sounding the slap of hooves on the wet road, the clanking of sabers and quiet talking, set off along the large road lined with birches, following the infantry and battery walking ahead.
Torn blue-purple clouds, turning red at sunrise, were quickly driven by the wind. It became lighter and lighter. The curly grass that always grows along country roads was clearly visible, still wet from yesterday’s rain; The hanging branches of the birches, also wet, swayed in the wind and dropped light drops to their sides. The faces of the soldiers became clearer and clearer. Rostov rode with Ilyin, who did not lag behind him, on the side of the road, between a double row of birch trees.
During the campaign, Rostov took the liberty of riding not on a front-line horse, but on a Cossack horse. Both an expert and a hunter, he recently got himself a dashing Don, a large and kind game horse, on which no one had jumped him. Riding this horse was a pleasure for Rostov. He thought about the horse, about the morning, about the doctor, and never thought about the upcoming danger.
Previously, Rostov, going into business, was afraid; Now he did not feel the slightest sense of fear. It was not because he was not afraid that he was accustomed to fire (you cannot get used to danger), but because he had learned to control his soul in the face of danger. He was accustomed, when going into business, to think about everything, except for what seemed to be more interesting than anything else - about the upcoming danger. No matter how hard he tried or reproached himself for cowardice during the first period of his service, he could not achieve this; but over the years it has now become natural. He now rode next to Ilyin between the birches, occasionally tearing leaves from branches that came to hand, sometimes touching the horse’s groin with his foot, sometimes, without turning around, giving his finished pipe to the hussar riding behind, with such a calm and carefree look, as if he was riding ride. He felt sorry to look at Ilyin’s agitated face, who spoke a lot and restlessly; he knew from experience the painful state of waiting for fear and death in which the cornet was, and knew that nothing except time would help him.
The sun had just appeared on a clear streak from under the clouds when the wind died down, as if it did not dare spoil this lovely summer morning after the thunderstorm; the drops were still falling, but vertically, and everything became quiet. The sun came out completely, appeared on the horizon and disappeared into a narrow and long cloud standing above it. A few minutes later the sun appeared even brighter on the upper edge of the cloud, breaking its edges. Everything lit up and sparkled. And along with this light, as if answering it, gun shots were heard ahead.