1.   A strong merchant banking contribution was more than offset by losses on investment management and stockbroking and some heavy loan provisions.

2.   Native merchants were eager to ingratiate themselves with West-ern traders.

3.   Or Maybe the greedy merchant is a personal friend.

4.   Some merchants were very rich, and even village storekeepers were often among the wealthier inhabitants of a locality.

5.   Any knowledgeable wine merchant would be able to advise you.

6.   In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in particular, the wealthy merchants were independent and organised members of society and had greater freedom than in many countries.

7.   London merchants were able to assert their authority over their provincial rivals, and with this one can see the beginnings of centralization in the economy.

8.   Foreign merchants were still to be permitted to enter the country, but Russian subjects were not to be allowed to leave and Russians living abroad were summoned home.

9.   All the last minute merchants will be on.

10.   And luxury goods merchants everywhere are now pinning hopes on Europe, until now regarded as anemic.