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Indian Coast, he entered npon a series of optical investigations, and 

 devised a reciprocating light, which was fixed in the lighthouse 

 erected at Madras in 1838, after his designs. 



Before this he had translated Yicat on " Cements," enriching that 

 valuable work with the results of many original experiments, and he 

 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1837. 



He was next appointed to reorganise the Madras Mint, which he 

 did with great skill and vigour. When remodelling the machinery 

 he invented a machine for automatically weighing and assorting 

 blanks, which gained an award at the Exhibition of 1851. 



After a period of some twenty years in charge of the Madras, and 

 latterly of the Calcutta, Mint, Colonel Smith returned to England, 

 and, after acting for some time as Consulting Engineer to various 

 Indian Irrigation Companies, became Chairman of the Madras 

 Railway Company, a position which he held until the close of his 

 life. 



During late years his energies were directed chiefly to the con- 

 sideration of the intricate questions of political economy connected 

 with currency, &c. A careful study of the subject for many years 

 and a deep interest in India led him to propose a remedy for the 

 evils caused by the depreciation of silver in that country. 



He brought forward his views with great earnestness and dis- 

 interestedness, and though the question has been forced aside by more 

 pressing matters, his proposals have met with the approval of some of 

 the leading political economists of the day, and it is hoped that by 

 their fulfilment at some future time many millions may be saved to 

 the revenues of India. 



His knowledge of these and of kindred subjects led to his employ- 

 ment by the Government to make reports in conjunction with the late 

 Professor Graham, F.R.S., upon questions of mintage, &c, and he 

 was also appointed to attend the International Monetary Conference 

 held at Paris in 1865. 



Colonel Smith's active mind and varied talents led him to take an 

 interest in many other subjects. He was a member of several 

 societies and the author of some works and several papers on various 

 scientific matters. 



In private life he was an humble Christian man. His aid as a wise 

 and sympathising counsellor was widely sought, and his loss is deeply 

 felt by a large number of friends. P. S. 



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