A curious piece of financing is reported from America. Congress
lately reduced the appropriation for the World's Fair from five million dollars to half that sum. The money was, however, granted in the form of five million "special souvenir silver coins of the weight, fineness, and value" of the ordinary half-dollar pieces. As soon as it became known that the souvenir coins were to be issued from the United States Mint, there was an eager demand for them from all parts of the country, and it was at once apparent that the coins could be disposed of by the Exhibition authorities at a large premium. So keen, indeed, has become the competition, that it is said that the whole of the new coins will be dis- posed of at double their face value. Thus the Fair will get the whole appropriation, while the nation will save half the sum originally proposed. That is a piece of financing which will delight the entire continent.
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