For the Monnaie, the charges are—

For gold refined by sulphuric acid, when alloyed with copper only, from 898⁄1000 to 1⁄1000, 5 fr. per kilogramme, = 1 fr. 86 c. per lb. troy.

For gold alloyed with copper and silver, whatever be the quantity of silver, 5 fr. 75 c. per kilogramme, = 2 fr. 12 c. per lb. troy.

There are about ten bullion refiners by sulphuric acid in the environs of Paris; two of whom, M. Poizat St. André, and M. Chauvière, are by far the most considerable; the former working about 300 kilogrammes (= 804 lbs. troy) daily, and the latter about two-thirds of that quantity. In former times, when competition was open in London, Messrs. Browne and Brinde were wont to treat 6 cwts. of silver, or 9 cwts. of gold alloy, daily, for several months in succession.

The result of free trade in refining bullion at Paris is, that the silver bars imported into London from South America, &c., are mostly sent off to Paris to be stripped of the few grains of gold which they may contain, and are then brought back to be sold here. Three grains of gold in one Paris lb. of silver, pay the refiners there for taking them out. What a disgrace is thus brought upon our manufacturing industry and skill, by the monopoly charges in refining and assaying granted to two individuals in our Royal Mint.

Mr. Bingley’s charges for assaying at the Royal Mint in London, are—

For an assay of gold, 4s.; for a parting assay of gold and silver, 6s.; for a silver assay, 2s. 6d.—charges which absorb the profits of many a transaction.

The charges at the Royal Mint of Paris, for assays made under the following distinguished chemical savants—Darcet, Directeur; Bréant, Verificateur; Chevillot and Pelouze, Essayeurs; are—

For an assay ofgold,or doré, (a parting assay,)3 francs.
—silver——0. 80 c. = 8d. English.