£ s. d. qrs. Dollars. Addition. 8 13 11 1-2 = 38.65 4 12 8 3-4 = 20.61 ------------ ----- 13 6 8 1-4 = 59.26 £ s. d. qrs. Dollars. Subtraction. 8 13 11 1-2 = 38.65 4 12 8 3-4 = 20.61 ------------ ----- 4 1 2 3-4 = 18.04 Multiplication by 8. £ s. d. qrs. Dollars. 8 13 11 1-2 = 38.65 20 8 ---- ------ 173 $309.20 12 ---- 2087 4 ---- 8350 8 ------ 4)66,800 12)16 700 20) 1391 8 £69 11 8 Division by 8. £ s. d. qrs. Dollars. 8 13 11 1-2 = 8)38.65 20 4.83 ---- 173 12 ---- 2087 4 ---- 8)8350 4)1043 12) 260 3-4 20) 21 8 3-4 £1 1 8 3-4 A bare inspection of the above operations will evince the labor which is occasioned by subdividing the Unit into 20ths, 240ths, and 960ths, as the English do, and as we have done; and the ease of subdivision in a decimal ratio. The same difference arises in making payment. An Englishman, to pay £8, 13_s._ 11_d._ 1-2 qrs., must find, by calculation, what combination of the coins of his country will pay this sum; but an American, having the same sum to pay, thus expressed $38.65, will know, by inspection only, that three golden pieces, eight units or dollars, six tenths, and five coppers, pay it precisely. III. The third condition required is, that the Unit, its multiples, and subdivisions, coincide in value with some of the known coins so nearly, that the people may, by a quick reference in the mind, estimate their value. If this be not attended to, they will be very long in adopting the innovation, if ever they adopt it. Let us examine, in this point of view, each of the four coins proposed. 1. The golden piece will be 1-5 more than a half joe, and 1-15 more than a double guinea. It will be readily estimated, then, by reference to either of them; but more readily and accurately as equal to ten dollars.