CHAP. xxiv. GOLD AND SILVER. 



company this complex inquiry that we have arrived 

 at the conclusion, that in the one hundred and 

 ten years in question, the quantity of gold and 

 silver which was converted into other objects than 

 coin amounted to two-thirds of that which was 

 left in Europe, after the part which was conveyed 

 to Asia is subtracted from the total produce of the 

 mines. 



This estimate obtains some support from the 

 views taken of it by Necker in France, who in 

 1789 reckons the annual amount of the gold and 

 silver used in that country for ornaments and 

 utensils at near one million sterling. Humboldt 

 in 1800 estimated the amount of the two metals so 

 applied at five million eight hundred and twenty- 

 five thousand Spanish dollars, or one million two 

 hundred and thirteen thousand five hundred 

 pounds sterling. He supposes the consumption 

 of all Europe to be to that of France as four to one, 

 and consequently is disposed to view the whole 

 annual demand of this quarter of the globe at 

 four million eight hundred and fifty-four thousand 

 pounds sterling. In the cursory view we have 

 taken, and the subject admits of only cursory 

 views, we should consider the consumption of 

 England, at the time when Humboldt formed 

 his estimate, at ab^ut one million five hundred 

 thousand pounds ; and that the rest of Europe 

 may be calculated to consume about three times 

 as much, which would make the whole about four 



