Lucrezia  +  330293 Sat, 17 Feb 07 11:55 AM Please help me rephrase the following sentence. It is from a novel set in the last decades of the 19th century, in Ottoman empire. "We have some family in New York, but they are so well integrated that they look down on those of us who settled in Istanbul. We are too backward for them, but not for the letters of credit from the firm of my maternal uncle (who was a trader). Our wealth, however, is perfectly acceptable." I found the definition for the letter of credit, but it is a modern term which, i believe, didn't exist in 19th century. Could it be some kind of loan? Or a guarantee? Or is it he just sent them money? Thanks! Lucrezia Lucrezia Joined on Thu, Apr 20 2006 Serbia Full Member 107

	Mister Micawber  +  330298 Sat, 17 Feb 07 12:01 PM I think it worked much like a modern letter of credit.  The wealthy uncle's firm gave money to the bank, sent the letter of proof to the NY relatives, who took it to their bank, who got the money from the Turkish bank-- or a process along those lines.  I am sure that this form of transfer of wealth dates much farther back than the Ottoman Empire. PS:  One on-line dictionary dates them from 1635–45. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,841 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Dates, Images

	Mister Micawber  +  330307 Sat, 17 Feb 07 12:51 PM THIS ONE. Mister Micawber