It is said to be harder to keep than to make a fortune.
Possibly; but the adventurous temper, which risks what it has to gain more, has much in common with the adventurous spirit that conquers worlds for commerce.

The tendency to save and put aside, to venture timidly and on a small scale, may lead to a general diffusion of wealth on a like small scale, but not to the risks and development of external trade and shipping interests.

To illustrate,--and the incident is given only for what it is worth,--a French officer, speaking to the author about the Panama Canal, said: "I have two shares in it.

In France we don't do as you, where a few people take a great many shares each.

With us a large number of people take one share or a very few.