John Locke stirred gently in his chair.

"There seemeth much to commend in this plan of my Lord Keeper," said he, leaning slightly forward, "but in pondering my Lord Keeper's suggestion for the bringing in of this older coin, I must ask you if this plan can escape that selfish impulse of the human mind which seeketh for personal gain?
For, look you, short as would be the time proposed, it taketh but still shorter time to mutilate a coin; and it doth seem to me that, under the plan of my Lord Keeper, we should see the old currency of England mutilated in a night.

Sir, I should opine in the contrary of this plan, and would base my decision upon certain principles which I believe to be ever present in the human soul." Montague cast down his eye for a moment.

"Sir Isaac," at length he began, "we are relying very much upon you.

Is there no suggestion which you can offer on this ticklish theme ?" The large, full face of the great man was turned calmly and slowly upon the speaker.