XIV CONTENTS. 



western empire, about the year 476, A. D. Gold and 

 silver now used as coin. Difference of abrasion between 

 ancient and modern times. Less used in domestic uten- 

 sils than at present. Much coin used in bribes. 

 Amount of those distributed by Augustus and succeeding 

 emperors. Small amount of gold and silver among the 

 citizens. Amount in the sabred edifices. Effect of the 

 founding of Byzantium. Increase of taxation. Amount 

 of it. Diminished weight of gold coins. Vespasian's 

 wealth. Table showing the decrease of money between 

 the years 14 and 490. Debasement of coins. Table 

 showing the effect of debasement on prices. Decrease of 

 the metals, shown by the small ransom paid for Rome to 

 Alaric .... Page 196 



CHAPTER X. 



On the production of the precious metals from the dissolution 

 of the western Roman empire, to the discovery of Ame- 

 rica. Rise of Mahometan power. State of society. 

 Table showing the decrease from 518 to 806. State of 

 mines in the middle ages. In Macedonia. Austrian 

 dominions. Chemnitz. Salzburg. Altenburg. In the 

 Tyrol. Saxony. The Hartz. Silesia. France. 

 Anecdote of the Baron de Beausoleil and Auffenbach. 

 Sardinia. Spain and Portugal under the Moors. Mine 

 of Almaden. The Fuggars. Gomez. Lady Mary Her- 

 bert. The northern nations of Europe. Great Britain 

 and Ireland. Cardiganshire. Tipperary arid Wicklow. 

 Effect of the feudal system on mining. Mining en- 

 couraged by Elizabeth . 235 



CHAPTER XI. 



On the consumption of gold and silver in the centuries from 

 the conclusion of the western empire to the discovery of 





