( 338 ) 
has been robbed of fomeof its fubftance, (efpecially if it be fo 
much as is reported of fome Guimesythdit of late are faid to have 
been found wanting to the value of near four (hillings ; ) 'tis a 
ftrong Prefumption, that 'tis rather vvaflied, &c. than counter- 
feited. For, men v^ill fcarce venture their Lives to ftealbut 
three or four grains from a true Guiny, and much lefs from alFalfe 
one. And they that counterfeit, are not wont to be fo fparing 
as CO make their Coins too light* However,our Inftrument will 
in thefe Cafes be fure to prompt him that ufes it to employ the 
Ballance, which will prefently affift him to refolve his doubt. 
For^if the fufpefled Coin have in the Air its due weight, 'twill 
argue, that the great lightnefs of it in the water proceeds from 
the Metals not being true Gold, or, atleaft, ofits not being of 
the requifitefinenefs ; and, if it want much of its due weight in 
the Air, 'tis very probable, for the Reafon above-intimated » 
that 'tis wafli'd, &c. rather, than of another metal than Gold ; 
and however may be lawfully refufed to be taken in payments, 
and perhaps afford a juft ground of quefVioning him that utters 
it. And if one would, forcuriofity, be further fatisfied, whe- 
ther the Metal be Gold or no, one may add to the Coin (as will 
be hereafter taught) as much fterling-Gold, as willqaakeit, m 
the Mr^ of the Weight of a Guiny, and then examining it by 
w^eight in the y^ater^he will prefently difcover whether it beGoId 
or not. 
There comes into my thoughts another poffible way of coun- 
terfeiting Guwys^ but bet^aufe 'tis very likely that Coiners will 
not light upon it, ^nd it cannot be praftifed on any of the Gui- 
nys already coined,'the fear of teaching bad men a skill that pro- 
bably rhey will not otherwife acquire, makes me forbear to 
mention it, though the fraud may be quickly difcovered, fome- 
times by the bare Eye, and always by our Inftrumenr, and the 
Bal lance ; whereof publick Advertifcmentmay be given,if there 
(hall appear need of it. 
And 
