"Sir," said Somers, shifting and coughing, "it is as you say. The
question is of great moment. I should suggest a decree that the old coin
shall pass by weight alone and not by its face value. Call in all the
coin and have it weighed, the government to make future payment to the
owner of the coin of the difference between its nominal and its real
value. The coin itself should be restored forthwith to its owner. Hence
the trade and the credit of the realm would not suffer. The money of the
country would be withdrawn from the use of the country only that short
time wherein it was in process of counting. This, it occurs to me, would
surely be a practical method, and could work harm to none." My Lord
Somers sat back, pulling out his chest complacently.

"Sir Isaac," said Montague, "and Mr. Locke, we must beg you to find such
fault as you may with this plan which my Lord Keeper hath suggested."

Sir Isaac made no immediate reply. 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?"