That " ancient and interesting ceremony," the " trial of
the .pyx of the Mint," was performed on Tuesday. The trial, despite its grotesque name, is of importance, the Goldsmiths' Com- pany, which is independent of the Government, testing the State -coin as to weight, quality, and accurate adherence to standard. The verdict was unusually satisfactory, showing that the Mint .adhered to the standard with even less variation than the law -allows. Mr. Lowe, as Master of the Mint, was subsequently re- .ceived by the Company at dinner, and made a speech, in which he acknowledged the service rendered by the State to the Company ; but did not premise either of the two things the public and the Company want, .which are, firstly, the abolition of the lower stamps for jewellers' gold—a mere facility offered for fratid,—and -a five-shilling gold piece.
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