CHAP. xxvi. GENERAL RESULT. 315 



tish West Indies, is probably drawn from England, 

 that of the French colonies from France, and a 

 large portion of that of Brazil and of the Spanish 

 states from the different European countries that 

 trade with them. 



We cannot then make any material error by 

 adding to the consumption of gold and silver one- 

 twentieth part for that of America, or two hun- 

 dred and eighty thousand six hundred and thirty 

 pounds, thus making the whole amount to be five 

 million eight hundred and ninety-three thousand 

 two hundred and forty pounds annually. 



A portion of the gold and silver here referred 

 to is undoubtedly supplied from old and broken 

 ornaments, from plate become unfashionable, from 

 the burning of gold and silver lace and picture- 

 frames, and from the sweepings of the shops of 

 the refiners, the jewellers, the goldsmiths, gilders, 

 and watch-case-makers. 



According to the information collected from the 

 most considerable refiners, who are commonly the 

 purchasers of broken pieces of gold and silver, of 

 burnt lace and picture-frames, and of foreign gold 

 and silver coins, the quantity of old metal used in 

 their trade is very small when compared with that 

 which is in ingots made from coin either of Spanish, 

 Portuguese, East Indian, or European fabrication, 

 all of which are easily distinguishable by those in 

 the trade. We have been assured by one very ac- 

 curate person who has superintended the purchases 



