Silver. 363 



leaf of the same size, perhaps the consumption of one metal in 

 this particular way may be nearly equal to the other. There 

 is another application of silver by an inferior, but numerous 

 class of artizans, denominated washing with silver, but it has 

 been found difficult to obtain any clew to this branch of trade, 

 by which even a conjecture could be formed of its extent. 



Taking the opinion of experienced dealers, and considering 

 the observations here stated, we should not be disposed to esti- 

 mate the quantity of silver annually used in the several ways 

 noticed in the preceding paragraph at less than five hundred 

 thousand ounces. 



Our estimate, then, of the annual quantity of silver applied in 

 the British kingdoms to other purposes than that of coin, ap- 

 pears thus : — 



Ounces. 



That paying duty, 1,275,316 



That used in watch-cases, .... 606,740 



That used in plating, 900,000 



That used for other minor purposes, . . 600,000 



3,182,056 



At five shillings per ounce, . . . . L. 795,514 



If to this be added the quantity of gold as before detailed at 

 L. 1,636,T00, we may consider the two metals as demanding 

 L. 2,457,221 annually. 



The view here taken of the consumption of the precious 

 metals in England receives some corroboration from the best 

 accounts that can be collected from the other parts of Europe. 

 The general peace which prevailed in the greater part of the twen- 

 ty years here under consideration seems to have had the gradual 

 effect of extending indulgence in articles of ornament and lux- 

 ury of every kind. This has been so marked that no traveller 

 who has visited the Netherlands, France, Italy or Germany, at 

 intervals, with a few years between, could have failed to remark 

 the progress, from one date to another, of the great application 

 of gold and silver to purposes of personal ornaments, and to the 

 higher class of domestic utensils. This has been strikingly 

 obvious in most of the capitals of the several countries, in all the 



