MONEY 
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would be reduced. Similarly if gold became 
relatively more plentiful corresponding effects 
would follow. Either process would con 
tinue until the resultant alterations in the 
outside supplies of gold and silver were 
sufficient to bring their market values to the 
fixed ratio. Were the scheme adopted with 
a ratio which would make it work at first, 
it would only break down if the supplies 
of one of the metals became so large as 
to result in the complete ejection of the 
other metal from the currencies of the bi 
metallic countries. Comparatively successful 
bimetallic arrangements were made by certain 
countries many years ago ; but it was realized 
by the far-seeing during the late agitation 
that immense practical difficulties lay in the 
way of a revival of the system on the basis 
of an agreement between three or four lead 
ing countries. 
If bimetallism were adopted, and the 
exchange ratio between gold and silver 
were made such that some silver would be 
attracted into currencies, prices would be 
somewhat elevated because the bullion basis 
of currencies would be augmented by the 
incorporation of the silver. Also fluctuations 
in the purchasing-power of money might be 
lessened, if supplies of silver did not fluctuate