III. The _Bhagavadi_, a gold coin with the figure of the goddess _Bhagavadi_, called by the Europeans very improperly _Pagodi_ or _Pagoda_, is round, and on one side a little convex. The so called star pagoda of Madraspatnam, the reverse of which bears the impression of an Indian idol, is worth, according to the Roman method of reckoning, seventeen _Paoli_[52] and eight _Bajocchi_. The gold pagoda of Hayder Aly Khan, called _Aydernaik_, and that of Mangalor, are worth four silver rupees, or nine livres twelve sous. The latter have on one side a half moon, and on the other two idols who hold a trident. They represent _Shiva_, together with his wife _Parvadi_. The gold pagoda of _Portonovo_ is worth three silver rupees. The gold _Panam_ of Palicate is equal in value to nine French sous; that of Calcutta and Tanjaur, to one quarter of a silver rupee, or twelve and a half _Bajocchi_. The gold _Panam_ of Madura is worth seven sous, or seven Roman _Bajocchi_ and six French deniers. The gold rupee of Bengal, Surat and Bombay, is worth sixteen silver rupees, or eight Roman scudi. The _Golmor_ of Bengal, a gold coin ornamented on one side with flowers and Hindostan characters, and on the other with a sword and some characters, is equal in value to eight Roman _Scudi_. This coin came originally from _Nepal_ in India; for it bears the arms of the king of that place. The _Kalien_ from Travancor is worth the fourth part of a silver rupee. The _Uilkàshya_, or Venetian sequin, is worth, in common, about four silver rupees.--All these coins are struck with the hammer. On those which are alloyed, that is, which have a mixture of other metals, the government gains nearly a hundred per cent. Thus, if a thousand rupees are melted down in order to be converted into other alloyed coins, such for example as _Panams_, five hundred rupees only, according to their intrinsic value, come into circulation: the other five hundred go to government, to defray the expence of coinage; and if any thing remains over, it is clear gain. This method of adulterating gold and silver was first introduced into these countries by the Europeans. The natives of India always suffered their gold and silver to remain pure; never added to it the least alloy; and to this day they observe the same practice. This is the true method of increasing the opulence of a country, whatever short sighted politicians may say to the contrary. Bills of exchange are totally unknown in India. When money-changers conclude any bargain with each other, it is ratified by an oath before the door of some temple, and in view of the idol; and in such cases they seldom or never deduct any thing from the payment[53]. * * * * *