The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-18

adjust the value of England's coinage;
two philosophers, one pompous trimmer,
and two gamblers; the younger and more
daring OF whom was now calmly thread
Ing the streets of London on his way to
a meeting which might mean much to-
him. -
!. To John Law. adventurer, mathemati-
clan, philosopher, gambler, 1t seemed
natural enough thing that he should be
asked to sit at the council table with the
ablest minds of the day and pass upon
questions the most important. This was
not what gave him trouble. This matter
Of the coinage, these questions of finance
they were easy. But how to win the
interest Of the tall, gracious English girl
whom he had met by chance that other
morn. who had left no way open for
further meeting: how to gain access to the
presence OF that fair one-these were the
questions which to John Law seemed OF
greater Importance, and Of greater Diff
Guilty In the answering.
The chair drew up at the somber quar-
ters where the meeting had been set
Law knew the place by instinct even
without seeing the double row Of heavy
yisaged London constabulary which
guarded the entrance. Here and there
along the streets were carriages and
chairs, and multiplied conveyances Of per-
sons of consequence. Upon the narrow
pavement, and within the little entrance
way that led to the inner room. there
hustled about important looking men,
some with hooked noses, most with horid
faces and well fed bodies but all with
certain dignity and sobGdety Of express
sion. '..
Montague himself, young. smooth faced,
dark eyed, Of active frame, OF mobile and
pleasing features, sat at the head or q
long table. The high strung quality OF
his nervous system was evidenced IN his
restless hands, his attitude frequently
changed.
At the left Of Montague sat somers,
lord keeper; older, of more STEADY de-
meanor of fuller figure. Of bold face and
full light eye, a politician, not ponderer.
At the right Of Montague, grave, silent,
impressive, now and again turning a con-
templattye eye about him, sat the great
man. Sir Isaac Newton, known then TO
every nobleman, and now to every school
boy Of the world. A gem-like mind, keen.
clear. hard and brilliant exact In every
facet, and forseoth held in the setting
OF an iron body. Gentle, unnoyed, SELF
assured Sir Isaac Newton was as calm as
morn itself as he sat In readiness to give
England the benefit Of his wisdom.
Beyond sat John Locke, abstruse phil
osepher; a man thinner and darker than
his confrere. with large full orb. with the
brow of the student and the man Of
thought In dignity he shared with tbs
learned gentleman sitting near him.
All these at the board looked with some
intentness at the figure Of the young NAH
from the north, who came as the guest OF
Montague. With small formalfty, the lat.
ter rose and advanced to meet Law with
an eager grasp of the hand. He made
him known to the others present prompt
ly, but with a half apology: -
Gentlemen" said he, Il have made
bold to ask the presence with as Of a
young man who has much concerned him
self with problems such as those which
We have now in hand. Sir Isaac Newton,
this is Mr. Law of Edinbore'. Mr.. Law,
the fame of John Locke I need not lay
before you, and of my Lord Sonaers you
need no advice. Mr.. Law, I shall pray
you to be seated. -
Il shall but serve as your naeuthpiece
to the court, gentlemen" resumed Mon
tague, seating himself and turning at
once to the business of the day. We are
all agreed as to the urgency Of the case.
The king needs behind him in there times
a contented people. You have" already
seen the irnminence OF a popular discon-
tent which may shake the throne Of Eng
land, none too safe In these days OF
change. That we must reorgantze the
coinage is understood and agreed. The
question is. how best to do this without
further unsettling the times. MY Lord
Keeper, ! must beg you for your sus-
gestions."
"Sir," said Somers, shifting and cough
ing, lit is as you say. The question is
of great moment. I should suggest q
decree that the old coin shall pass by
weight alone and not by Its face value
Call In all the coin and have 1t weighed,
the government to make future payment
to the owner of the coin Of the difference
between it's nominal and its real value.
bo chnll1f a RESTORED forth -
with to it's owner. Hence the trade aud
the credit of the realm would not suffer.
The money of the country would be with
drawn from the use Of the country, only
that short time wherein 1t was In process
OF counting. This, it occurs to me. would
surely be practical method, and could
work harm to none" My Lord Somefs
sat back, putting out his chest eomplac-
emily.
''Sir Isaac" said Montague, "and Mr..
Locke, we must beg you to find such fault
as you may with this plan which my Lord
Keeper hath suggested"
Sir Isaac made no immediate reply.
John Locke stirred gently in his chair.
There seemeth much to commend In this
ing slightly forward, but In bordering
my Lord Keepers suggestion for the
bringing in of this older coin, I must
ask you il this plan can escape that self
ish impulse of the human mind which
seeketh for personal gain2 For, look you,
short as would be the time proposed, it
taketh but still shorter time to mut1late
coin; and it doth seem to me that.
under the plan Of my Lord Keeper, we
should see the old currency OF England
mutilated in night. Sir, I should opine
In the contrary Of this plan, and. would
base my decision upon certain principles
which believe to be ever present In the
human SOUL"
Montague cast down his eye for a mo-
ment. "Sir Isaac at length he began,
I'VE are relying very much upon you. Is
there no suggestion which you can offer
on this ticklish theme?"
The large, full face Of the great man
was turned calmly and slowly upon the
speaker. His deep and serene eye ap-
parently saw not so much the man before
him as the problem which lay on that
mans mind.
Sir" said Sir Isaac, "as John Locke
hath said. this is after all much a matter
Of clear reasoning. There come into this
problem two chief questions: First, who
shall pay the expense Of the recoinage?
Shall the government pay the expense, or
shall the owner Of the coin, who is to OBJ
tain good coin for evil?
Again, this matter applieth not to one
man but to many men. Now II one half
the tradesmen OF England rush to US with
| their coin for reminting, surely the trade
OF the country will have left not sufficient
Ynediuna with which to r,rosner This