352 Sir Isaac Newton. 



custom of placing the name of the monarch on the one side of 

 the coin, and that of the chief moneyer on the other, was con- 

 tinued up to the time of Edward I. 



Without tracing at greater length the history of this 

 remarkable company,* it may be stated that in Newton's 

 time it consisted of eight members, governed by a senior 

 officer, dignified with the title of Provost, and sundry appren- 

 tices. These latter were, up to the year 1827, nominated by 

 the Moneyers themselves, and were usually selected from their 

 own family connexions.f 



Mr. Newton was a jealous protector of his own privileges, 

 and gave his orders as to the management of the Mint with 

 great decision and perspicuity. In order to convey an exact 

 idea of the mode in which his wishes were forwarded to the 

 Moneyers, and at the same time to furnish a veritable example 

 of his caligraphy, a fac simile of an instruction given to the 

 Provost of the period, Mr. John Braint, is annexed. The 

 original is endorsed, by the hand of Mr. Braint, as an " Order 

 for Alterin ye edging ye money — 1700." 



It will be observed that the Master of the Mint has 

 written his order in the most explicit manner, and in that 

 bold but peculiar hand which once seen is not likely to be 

 mistaken. There is no doubt whatever of the genuineness of 

 the document, of which the plate is a most truthful tran- 

 script. The original was carefully preserved by the Corpora- 

 tion of Moneyers, until 1851, when their tenure of power, and 

 their supposed prescriptive right to coin the monies of this 

 realm ceased. It was then handed to the writer of the present 

 notice, and in his possession it has remained until now. 



It has been stated that Newton was promoted to the post 

 of Master and Worker of the Mint, in 1699 ; and those who 

 are curious about minute points in connection with such 

 matters will note that the newly-made officer was very nearly 



* The pages of " Ruding's Annals of the British Coinage " are full of informa- 

 tion on the point. The Company ceased to exist in 1851. 



t Sir Isaac Newton, in the year 1713, attempted to alter this arrangement, 

 and to obtain the power of nominating apprentices himself. He failed, however, 

 in accomplishing that object, and was not even permitted by the then autocratic 

 Corporation to interfere in their selection of apprentices in any way. An entry in 

 the journal of the Company throws a light upon the subject, and illustrates the 

 position of the Moneyers at this time. It runs as follows : — " Some conversation 

 having taken place between Sir Isaac Newton (the Master of the Mint) and the 

 Company of Moneyers, respecting their taking apprentices according to their 

 usual and ancient custom, the following question was put at a full meeting held 

 in their hall on the 4th November, 1713, ' Whether the Master and Worker be 

 asked for permitting the Provost and Company of Moneyers to take apprentices ? ' 

 Resolved, nem. con., that the Master never had any authority as to the permitting 

 the Provost and Fellows to take apprentices, and that it is not reasonable to ask 

 the Master his consent in the affair, which course might be of ill consequence in 

 the future." Mr. Tierney, Master of the Mint in 1827, first broke this rule, and 

 nominated in that year an apprentice. 



