Whether  the  original  subdivision  of  the  pound  of  silver,  in  the

English  and  French  coinage,  was  governed  by  a  money  of  account

then  existing,  we  need  not  inquire ;  but  it  is  very  certain  a  money

of  account  proceeded  from  that  coinage.     If  the  coinp  at  first

only  corresponded  with  known  weights,  and  if  they  were  passed

merely  as  equivalents,  by  specific  exchange,  for  other  articles,

that  state  of  things  only  lasted  until  pounds  and  shillings,  or

sols,  came  to  be  impressed  on  the  public  mind  as  a  money  of

account ;  and  from  that  time  the  coins  would  be,  and  were  really

valued  in  the  money  of  account.     All  prices  thereafter  would  bo

expressed  in  money  of  account,  and  coins  would  be  merely  pieces

of  gold  or  silver,  with  a  public  certificate  of  weight  and  quality,

subject  to  rise  and  fall  in  price  as  any  other  commodity :  that

is,  if  any  change  in  price  or  market  value  took  place,  the  money

of  account  would  register  it,  as  in  the  case  of  other  articles.
