44
DA
paid out by weight just as other lumps of Silver are- and derives its value solely from weight and "touch", whilst it generally melting loses at last its individuality in some pot, as when not used as a remittance for silver abroad. I cannot therefore but think that those, at the Mint, who projected and recommended a manufactory to be established here for coins intended to be used principally which repudiates in an currency of coins were not aware of Chinese feelings as to Coins, and the indifference with which, as such, they treated. If they had been aware of the permanent usages of the Empire it is difficult to imagine them suggesting a Mint.
12. Yet not merely was the Mint projected for the purpose of making coins for the Empire which sets no special value on silver in that form, but the principal reason given for establishing the Mint was the extra value which China was supposed to put on coins. This deduction which is actually the converse of the real fact was inferred from the premium which exceptional circumstances gave to dollars when the Country was first opened to Storeigners. Those circumstances were in their nature temporary, as I shall presently explain, and the projectors of the Mint consequently committed the radical error of arguing from the particular to the universal, and inferring a general permanent usage from a special and temporary exception.