CONTENTS 



VOL. II. 



CHAPTER XV. 



On the origin of the trade of the Lombards and goldsmiths, 

 and on the influence of their operations on coined gold 

 and silver. Increase of commercial intercourse. Ad- 

 justment of the relative values of coined money. Rise 

 of Lombards and goldsmiths. Assay of plate. Work- 

 manship of plate. Seniorage on gold and silver coins. 

 English gold coin little circulated. Small quantity of 

 it in Henry VII. 's reign . . Page 1 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Of the commerce of Europe in the reign of Henry 7*h as 

 affecting the locality of the precious metals. Gradual 

 decrease of the precious metals till this time. Laws di- 

 rected against this. The commerce of each country 

 viewed as a guide to an estimate of the proportion of the 

 precious metals each contained. That of England. Of 

 France. Of Spain and Portugal. Of Italy, and the 

 flourishing state of its manufactures. Germany. The 

 history of the Fuggers. The northern states. Effects 

 of exchanges upon the quantity of gold. Great use of it 

 in utensils in Italy. Comparatively small in Germany, 

 France, and England. Lord Leicester. Cardinal Wol- 

 sey. Duke of Northumberland. Watches . 14 



