change in rate for the next fixed period is not intended, and must contain—
"1. The statement of the average trade exchange at the principal places of exchange, during the six months immediately preceding.
"2. The treasury rate fixed accordingly.
"3. The duration of the value of the same.
"4. The reservation to alter or recall this rate of exchange if necessary, even before the expiration of the term named. Page 212
"5. The declaration that such rate of exchange only affects payments to be made into offices of the state.
"In the countries of the contracting powers pay-offices of the State, as well as public institutions, banks, etc., shall not be allowed in future, in payments to be made by them, to make any proviso with regard to the medium of payment in silver or gold, in such a way that for the latter a certain fixed relative value should be expressed beforehand in silver money."
From the point of view of Austria, this convention had been entered upon with the desire of effecting a gradual adoption of gold coinage, together with a concurrent ceasing of the compulsory note circulation. The outcome of the conference was, however, in quite distinct opposition to this desire, as the agreement which was finally arrived at established the maintenance of a pure silver currency. The continuance of the gold crown of 10-grs. fine gold was recognised only as a trade medium. This experiment of a trade gold coin failed completely, though it is none the less interesting intrinsically, as well as for its reflex bearing on the