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In the British coin, indeed, the value of the gold preponderates

greatly, but it is not so in that of all countries. In the coin

of some countries, the value of the two metals is nearly equal.

In the Scotch coin, before the union with England, the gold

preponderated very little, though it did somewhat {See Ruddiman's

Preface to Anderson's Diplomata, etc. Scotiae.}, as it appears by

the accounts of the mint. In the coin of many countries the

silver preponderates. In France, the largest sums are commonly

paid in that metal, and it is there difficult to get more gold

than what is necessary to carry about in your pocket. The

superior value, however, of the silver plate above that of the

gold, which takes place in all countries, will much more than

compensate the preponderancy of the gold coin above the silver,

which takes place only in some countries.