CHAP. XXVI.

JEWELLERS.

287

only the gold on the surface, is another mode bywhich toys and trinkets are furnished at a cheaprate to those whose purses do not admit of theirbuying ornaments of either fine gold, alloyed gold,or gold plating. These are the millions in everypart of the world, each of whom obtains anddisperses a certain quantity of gold which, thoughminute individually, amounts to a sum of highvalue when the whole of the human race whoconsume such articles is comprehended in thecalculation.

If among the male part of the public the use ofgold ornaments has not been adopted to the sameadditional extent as among the females, yet someprogressive increase is very apparent. The use ofgold chains for eye-glasses, the increased numberand size of seals, broaches, and breast-pins, andthe small waistcoat buttons of gold, or of gildingor plating, have caused a great consumption ofthat metal. Whoever has travelled much on thecontinent must have been struck particularly withthe size of the seals, the great number of trinkets,and the weight of the gold chains usually appendedto the watches both of the ladies and gentlemen.The fashions of Europe extend their influence toevery civilized part of the world. In America , inthe different colonial establishments founded byEuropeans in the West Indies, in Africa, Asia ,and Australia , besides their domestic manufactures,they are supplied with ornaments consisting in a