Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-10-21

An attempt was made in Russia, by Nicholas
when he first assembled the throne, to introduce
a platina currency. This metal is found in the
Ural mountains, the mining district of which is
in the Russian government. This coin is very
handsome, and is in value between silver and
gold its color resembles steel, but is rather dar'
ker, and susceptible ofa beautiful polish; it can
not be adulterated-is hearier than silver OF
gold, and possesses one advantage over them
Il cannot be counterteited. 1t is fusible only in
an extraordinary degree of heat, and crucibles
for chemical purposes are manufactured OF this
metal-Moore's Philad. Price Current.
There are in the United States nearly seven
hundred banks, besides the United States Bank
and its twenty -four branches. The capital stock
of these banks amounts to upwards OF tl1o hand
red millions of dollars, upon which they are
authorized to issue four hundred millions IN pa
per!
The whole amount OF. gold and silver in the
United States, is estimated to be about fifty mil
lions of dollars.-IbiG.
The quantity of specie imported into the Uni
ted States from the LIST of December last, by re-
turns made to the Treasury Department, to 10th
instant, was S17,670, 1874 "A. The amount in
gold imported since 3Oth of June last, was 81
715,004 19-Ibid
The whole amount of gold coined at the Mint
since the new law went into effect up to the Attn
instant, was S., 1928, Ooo.-Ibid.
The most polite man IL, the 1oorld.-The polit-
est man of the last century was the Duke de
Coislin, Of whom thousand amusing anecdotes
are related in the memoirs of his time. During
the war of the Palatinate, one of the Rhine
graves made prisoner by the French army was
committed to his guardianship; and the Duke
having of course but one bed at his disposal,
offered it to his guest, who, with equal polite
ness, refused The following morning they
were found asleep in the tent; the mattress UNI
occupied, and the two Chesterfieds lying at
each side on the bare ground.
Sometimes afterwards the Rhinegrave being
on parole at Paris, came to visit the Duke de
Coislin at his hotel, who, according to his usual
custom, insisted on waiting upon his highness to
the door of his carriage. But the Rhnegrave,
by his attentions. and having vain
" insisted on his remaining in the drawing room,
double locked the door of the ante-chamber,
and fed precipitately believing himself quite Sc
cure from further civilities. Coislln, however,
was not to be outdone The windows OF the a.
partment were only few feet from the ground
and leaping into the court yard, the Duke was
in waiting at the carriage to receive his astonish
ed guest
In Jumping out of the window, the polltest OF
men had disIocated his thumb, and was obliged
to send for Felix, the kings surgeon, by whom
the history was reported at court. The thumb
was reset, and Coislin recovering, when, on
Felix's last visit he unfortunately insisted upon
so distinguished a person as the
Royal Surgeon to the door ofthe ante-chamDer.
Felix resisted, and in the scufHe the thumb was
again put Quit 1t now became fashion at Yer
sailles to call upon the Duke of Coislin with in
luries after his thumb.