t
over which he presides, with little ostentation, but much benefit.
According to the Order in Council, issued in March of last year, the
Mint-Board, the contract with the melter, and the moneyers'
privileges, were all abolished, and a new system of business
introduced. The melter's arguments in favour of retaining his portion
of the establishment were not successful, as it has been found that
the melting and refining can be done much cheaper at private works;
and the melting department is now separated from the Mint, and leased,
it is said, to one of the Rothschilds. Of course, the dispossessed
functionaries get compensation and pensions, as also the moneyers'
apprentices, who had paid L.1000 to learn the 'art and mystery,' with
the prospect of one day becoming members of the fraternity. The
coining is still to be carried on on the premises, as the contracts
offered for doing the work out of doors were too high or too
incompetent; the 'engraver or die-sinker' is no longer to be permitted
to work on his own private account; and, what is still better, when a
new medal or new model is wanted, the best artists of the country are
to have the opportunity of shewing their skill in the requisite
designs; and, last, dealers in bullion will no longer be allowed to
refine their gold at the public cost, for all the metal sent in in
future 'must not exceed the standard weight.' Thus, a most important
reform is accomplished--one that will give general satisfaction,
stimulate talent, and save L.11,000 a year to the country, when the
L.8000 now paid as pensions reverts to the Treasury.

The Post-office is helping on the work of intercommunication with
praiseworthy diligence. Think of now being able to send a pound of
'books, maps, or prints, and any quantity of paper, vellum, or
parchment, either printed, written, or plain, or any mixture of the
three'--for sixpence, to any part of the United Kingdom! There are
many branches of business that will be materially improved by this
regulation; and we may hope to see it followed by others not less in
accordance with the advancing requirements of the age.

The Nineveh sculptures are now being arranged in the British Museum;
one of them weighs fifteen tons, and is an extraordinary specimen of
Assyrian art. When in their places, they will be much studied; and,
fortunately, more time is to be allowed for this purpose, for the
authorities of the Museum have announced, that they will open the