Can we estimate the wealth of a nation by the quantity of 42 its coin? Just as we can estimate a man’s estate by the weight of his 43 purse, CHAP. VI. Miscellaneous questions and observations concerning 44 the doctrine of money and coin, The use of a miscellaneous chapter at the end of a subject, — QUEST. 1. Why does the doctrine of money appear so 45 intricate? ANSW. Because it is perplexed with jargon, — The denominations of coin are confounded with the intrinsic — value, The terms metal, money, coin, bullion, and price, are all 46 considered as synonimous, What is meant by _metal_? what by _money_? what by _coin_? — what by _bullion_? what by _price_? Of the abuse of the terms _rising_ and _sinking_, and of — the inaccuracy of speech, Prices attached to the denominations of coin, 47 _Coinage raises the value of coin_, is a more proper — expression, than _coinage sinks the price of commodities_, How to avoid such ambiguities of speech, — A case which cannot be resolved by this theory, — In speaking we do not distinguish between pure metal, and 48 that which is mixed with alloy, Of the abuse of terms relative to denominations of coins, 49 This illustrated by an example, — Farther obscurities from the abuse of language, — How to avoid such abuse, 50 QUEST. 2. What is the difference between raising the value — of coin, by imposing coinage, and raising the denomination of it? ANSW. The first is real, and affects foreign nations; the — other does not, Proved by an example, 51 How the arbitrary method of raising the denominations of — coin affects prices at home, QUEST. 3. How will the imposition of coinage affect the 53 creditors of Great Britain? ANSW. If they continue to be paid by denominations, they — will gain; if by weight of metal, they will not gain, nor will they lose, Proved by an example, — How the imposition of coinage advances the credit of 54 France, QUEST. 4. Is the plan we have proposed effectual towards — preserving the pound sterling invariable? ANSW. No: but seems to be the best relative to material — money, A scale of value realized in metal never can be exact; — because the metal itself varies in its value, 1. From the manufacturing of it. 2. From the interest of 55 money. 3. From the manners of a people,