"It is like a fairy tale.

But with this great discovery in your mind you must have been sorely tempted to confide it to others." "I thought well over it.

I gave it every consideration.

It was obvious to me that if my invention were made public, its immediate result would be to deprive the present precious metals of all their special value.
Some other substance--amber, we will say, or ivory--would be chosen as a medium for barter, and gold would be inferior to brass, as being heavier and yet not so hard.

No one would be the better for such a consummation as that.