CHAPTER I. THE GREAT PROPRIETARY ESTATES 11

II. THE SWAY OF THE LANDGRAVES 23

III. THE RISE OF THE TRADING CLASS 45

IV. THE SHIPPING FORTUNES 57

V. THE SHIPPERS AND THEIR TIMES 65

VI. GIRARD--THE RICHEST OF THE SHIPPERS 83

PART II

THE GREAT LAND FORTUNES

I. THE ORIGIN OF HUGE CITY ESTATES 97

II. THE INCEPTION OF THE ASTOR FORTUNE 109

III. THE GROWTH OF THE ASTOR FORTUNE 126

IV. THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE ASTOR FORTUNE 155

V. THE MOMENTUM OF THE ASTOR FORTUNE 182

VI. THE PROPULSION OF THE ASTOR FORTUNE 202

VII. THE CLIMAX OF THE ASTOR FORTUNE 224

VIII. OTHER LAND FORTUNES CONSIDERED 242

IX. THE FIELD FORTUNE IN EXTENSO 262

X. FURTHER VISTAS OF THE FIELD FORTUNE 278

PART I

CONDITIONS IN SETTLEMENT AND COLONIAL TIMES