JEWELLERS. CHAP. XXVI. 



which the far largest proportion is annually con- 

 sumed the fabrication of those elegant ornaments 

 collectively, denominated jewellery. 



According to the best information that could, 

 from the nature of the case, be obtained, we have 

 arrived at a conclusion that, of the gold rendered 

 pure by refining in the kingdom, amounting to one 

 hundred and fifty-six thousand ounces annually, 

 the application of it in the various ways that have 

 been examined amounts to about eighty-eight 

 thousand ounces, leaving nearly sixty thousand 

 ounces yet to be accounted for. 



It may be here remarked that with the ex- 

 ception of that gold which is used by the gold- 

 beaters, the whole of the portions we have noticed 

 may be said to be not merely applied but absolutely 

 consumed. Of the best gold it is supposed one- 

 fifth may be again recovered by the burning of 

 picture frames and such other substances, except 

 the metals and the pottery, upon which the leaves 

 have been laid. 



The application of gold to jewellery must now be 

 considered, in the course of which it will be seen, 

 that the quantity so appropriated very far exceeds 

 in amount all the other modes in which that 

 valuable substance is made use of. 



Without being minute observers of fashion, or 

 without being constant frequenters of those circles 

 in which its changes are most observable, it is 



