the general level of prices had, if anything, slightly improved, while the production of silver had not materially increased (from 2,551,000 kilogrammes in 1878 to 2,593,000 kilogrammes in 1881), though that of gold had certainly decreased. The close of the conference was, however, followed by a strong bimetallic agitation in England and Germany, which found united expression in the Bimetallic Congress at Cologne in October 1882.
This congress unanimously adopted the following resolutions:—
"That in order to the establishment of a firm ratio between gold and silver, it is desirable for England and Germany—
"1. To increase the employment of silver by minting full tender silver by the side of the divisional restricted tender silver.
"2. That Germany should withdraw all gold and paper below the value of 10 marks [and replace it