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remotest mention that we had of money, was in the Scriptures: but if we admit the Laws of Menu to have existed at the dates generally allowed to them, and when various circumstances tend to shew they were in use, we shall find that not only the precious metals were employed as a medium of purchase, many centuries before their being first spoken of in that light in Jewish history, but that maritime commerce also was then practised in India. It seems to be almost universally allowed, that the knowledge of arts and sciences originated in, or was brought from India into more western nations; admitting this, we must allow time for their progress, and consequently conclude that the Hindus practised them long before the Hebrews.

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Though circumstances are found to induce the belief, that the Hindūs at a most remote period employed money or current coins for purchase and hire, yet I have never heard of any Hindu coins of sufficient antiquity to support such belief. In the

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Temoirs of the Asiatic Society, we have ic-similes of ancient inscriptions on silver and copper tablets, but it does not appear those Memoirs that the subject of ancient indu money had yet occupied the attenon of the society. Mr. Chambers, ined, in his description of the ruins of Mabalipoor or Mavalipuram, says: "It is uch to be regretted, that a blind zeal, ended with a total want of curiosity, in e Mohammedan governors of this coun, have been so hostile to the preservan of Hindu monuments and coins.-The uzy of Madras, who had often occasion go to a place in the neighbourhood of habalipoor, assured the writer of this ount, that within his remembrance, a t (husbandman) of those parts had found, loughing his ground, a pot of gold and er coins, with characters on them which one in those parts, Hindu or Mohamlan, was able to decypher. He added, ever, that all search for them would - be vain, for they had doubtless been gago devoted to the crucible, as, in

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their original form, no one there thought them of any value."*

It is said that in Nepaul, Boutan, Assam, and Thibet, where Mohammedan conquerors never established themselves, ancient coins are met with, bearing Sanscrit inscriptions on them. And in the description given of the ruins of the city of Oujein, that was buried under ground about 1800 years ago by an earthquake, we are told that ancient coins are found both in digging among the ruins and in the channels cut by the periodical rains.+

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In the Laws of Menu, money is frequently referred to. In the article on marriages, when inculcating on those of a superior order the necessity of having due respect for their rank, it is said, by culpable marriages great families are sunk to a low state: so they are by practising manual arts, by lending at interest and other

*See Asiat. Res. vol. i. p. 158.

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+ Narrative of a journey from Agra to Oujein, Asiat. Reg. vol. vi. p. 36.

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men of interna By habituated to e means, and t As many officeTS & e of his business r but active, able, a

any and no more 1 "Among those let hi

Sir Wm. Jones's Work, c. vol. vii. p. 203.

uniary transactions."*-In the chapter of conomics and morals, when speaking of he Brahmins, it is said: "traffic and money lending, are satyanrita; but serice for hire is named swavritti or doging, and of course they must by all means void it."+

In the chapter on government and the ilitary class, when speaking of persons fit be employed by the sovereign in difrent capacities, after describing those orthy of his confidence, and proper to consulted, it is added:

"He must likewise appoint other ofers, men of integrity, well informed, ady, habituated to gain wealth by hourable means, and tried by experience. - As many officers as the due performe of his business requires, not slothful n, but active, able, and well instructed; nany and no more let him appoint.

Among those let him employ the brave,

Sir Wm. Jones's Works, vol. vii. p. 163.
Ibid. vol. vii. p. 203.

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the skilful, the well-born, and the honest, ́in his mines of gold or gems, and in other similar works for amassing wealth; but the pusillanimous, in the recesses of his palace."*

In treating of military affairs, and in the ordinance regarding fortresses, money is mentioned amongst the articles with which they should be provided.

On hire for servitude, it is said: "One pana of copper must be given each day as wages to the lowest servant, with two cloths for apparel every half and a drona of grain every month."+

year,

In the chapter on government, taxes are spoken of, and from what is said on that subject, it appears that they were paid in what has been translated money:

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Depp fit on sales.

"Any seller or buy by the toll of temproper time, or eration of the a:) foed eight times as! "Let the king e-ta and purchase of all ing duly considered ported; and if ex t be sent; how l

Having ascertained the rates of chase and sale, the length of the way, the expenses of food and of condiments, the charges of securing the goods carried, and

* Sir Wm. Jones's Works, vol. vii. p. 301.

+ Ibid. vol. vii. p. 312.

*Sir Wm. Jones's Wo

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