Pagina 583 di 2651

The great quantities of silver carried annually from Europe to

India, have, in some of the English settlements, gradually

reduced the value of that metal in proportion to gold. In the

mint of Calcutta, an ounce of fine gold is supposed to be worth

fifteen ounces of fine silver, in the same manner as in Europe.

It is in the mint, perhaps, rated too high for the value which it

bears in the market of Bengal. In China, the proportion of gold

to silver still continues as one to ten, or one to twelve. In

Japan, it is said to be as one to eight.