Sailing out, now, into deeper waters, we can hardly
steer clear of the question touching the possibility of
bimetallism. In his address already cited, Mr. Bal-
four says :

" I am well aware that there is a vast mass of opinion which
appears to consider that the man who maintains the possibility of
bimetallism should be ranked with those who think that the sun
goes round the earth or that the earth is a flat disc ; but I may
say without offence that those who hold this opinion show them-
selves but little instructed in the recent history of the subject."
. , . . . "I doubt whether there is a single economist of reputa-
tion under sixty years of age who will commit himself to the view
that it is impossible to maintain bimetallic money."

In referring to " the recent history of the subject,*'
Mr. Balfour doubtless had in mind the utterances of
the Royal Gold and Silver Commission of i886-*88.
