[29] This affords curious and instructive information as to the cost of books in the seventh century. The silver _solidus_ is meant, as, where any coin referred to is of gold, the fact is always stated in the _Forum Judicum_. As the _solidus_ was nominally worth $4.00 of our money, but in reality $44.00, taking into consideration the difference of values at that and the present time, it will be seen that the price fixed by law, of a copy of the Visigothic Code, was $17,600.00. This appears incredible, but it must be borne in mind that all books were in manuscript; that few persons were qualified to write them; and, as ignorance was almost universal, the demand for literature was extremely limited. The preparation of a literary work was then a formidable and expensive undertaking. Most of the books of that age, and, indeed, for centuries subsequently, were of a religious character, such as missals, fabulous chronicles of the Church, and spurious and imaginary biographies of saints. Making the sale of a collection of laws at a price above a certain sum a penal offence, punishable with the scourge, is an example of crime unique among the _mala prohibita_.--[ED.] [30] Twelve and a half per cent was the ordinary rate; but, in some instances, it was much higher. The law against usury was habitually violated by the Jews, who extorted enormous rates of interest both from individuals and from the Crown.--[ED.] [31] All the laws relating to bailments, included under this and the preceding Title, are of ancient origin; that is, borrowed, almost without change, from the Roman jurisprudence. The responsibility of the bailee for property entrusted to him, is determined by the same principles which experience and a sense of equity, in all ages, have demonstrated to be just and expedient, and which form the basis of similar contracts at the present day. The requirement of ordinary or extraordinary diligence and care was then, as now, dependent upon the question whether one or both parties derived benefit from the bailment. In case of gross negligence or fraud, the bailor was entitled to an animal or article of equal value to the one lost or destroyed; just as he can now, under similar circumstances, recover damages in a suit at law. The forfeiture of half the value of the property loaned, when it was stolen, and negligence was not established, or even alleged, is a novel regulation, and one especially calculated to render the bailee more careful and alert. The custom of pawning property as security for money loaned is, no doubt, as ancient as any business transaction, and is the _pignori acceptum_ of the Roman, and Civil and Common Law authorities. The question of negligence does not seem to have been considered where a pledge was stolen; for, in this case, the entire loss was sustained by the bailor, and not half of it, as when the article was merely loaned by way of accommodation, and no remuneration for its use was expected.--ED.