212 ADDRESS TO THE [lecT. 



halfpence for Jamaica. In addition to the commercial 

 uses of coins, they are important from an historical point 

 of view, and also in giving us authentic portraits of many- 

 interesting persons — Caesar, Augustus, Cleopatra, 1 and 

 many others (Figs. VIIL, IX., X., Plate II.). 



I have already alluded to the high rates of interest 

 which prevailed in former times. These, of course, were 

 very injurious to commerce, and naturally provoked 

 unfavourable criticisms, which, however, were by no 

 means confined to usurious rates, but often extended to 

 any charge whatever for interest. Indeed, the idea that 

 there is some wrong about charging interest for the use 

 of money is not the least remarkable or disastrous, of 

 the various prejudices which have interfered with the 

 happiness and comfort of man. The supposed axiom 

 that pecunia non parit pecuniam, the misapplication of 

 certain texts of Scripture, and the supposed interests of 

 the poor, all contributed to the same error. Thus in 

 the reign of Elizabeth (1571) (13 Eliz. cap. 8) an 

 Act was passed against usury and " corrupt chevisance 

 and bargaining by way of sale of wares," which were 

 declared to have abounded, "to the importable hurt 

 of the Common-wealth," declaring usury to be forbid- 

 den by the law of God, in its nature sin, and detestable. 

 Quaintly enough, however, this was in the first instance 

 limited to five years, but subsequently (39 Eliz. cap. 

 18) it was continued on the ground that it was found 

 by experience " to be very necessary and profitable to 

 the Common-wealth of this realm." 



1 I have endeavoured to choose the best coin of Cleopatra. 

 But though struck when she was only nineteen, it cannot be said 

 to be very beautiful. 



