Some two months ago the Council of the China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society issued " Circular to the Members, asking for information regarding the alleged scarcity of copper cash throughout the Empire and the reported rise in cash prices Of commodities. A restriction in the currency being commonly followed by a corresponding fall in prices, the explanation of such an unusual condition is a problem of considerable interest. A very curious complication is the fact that tha price of cash as compared with silver has n for the tael appears everywhere to 0: change for fewer cash, We are thus face to face with the apparent contradiction that cash, although scarce, are cheap in comparison with commodities and at the ame time are dear in comparison with sil-vor. The replies hitherto received from Members of the Society appear to point to an increase in population and a scarcity of food supplies, Such a state of affairs, added to the large amount of spurious and inferior cash in circulation, would explain why cash, although restricted in number, will purchase less; but we have still to Jearn why cask, with a lower purchasing power in regard to other comm should have appreciated in value when changed for silver.
Very few replies to the Circular have as yet. been received, but the Council of the Society hope that members will assist in solving the problem, which is one, of great interest and importance; and they will 0 very grateful for information from anyone who can throw any light upon it. The following is a copy of the Circular
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.