The Imperial Measures described in the second and third divisions were established by act 5 Geo. IV., c. 74. Before that time there were four different measures of capacity used in England:-1. For wine, spirits, cider, oils, milk, &c.; this was one-sixth less than the Imperial Measure. 2. For malt liquor; this was part greater than the Imperial Measure. 3. For corn, and all other dry goods not heaped; this was part less than the Imperial Measure. 4. For coals, which did not differ sensibly from the Imperial Measure. The Imperial Gallon contains exactly 10lbs. avoirdupois of pure water, at the temperature of 62° on Fahrenheit's thermometer, the barometer being at 30 inches; consequently the pint will hold 14lb., and the bushel 80lbs. 4. MEASURE OF WEIGHT. Division I.-Avoirdupois Weight. 2711 Grains = 1 Dram 16 Drams 16 Ounces = 1 Ounce =1 Pound (lb.) 28 Pounds = 1 Quarter (qr.) = 2711 Grains. = 4371 = 7000 1 Hundred-weight (cwt.) 1 Ton. This weight is used in almost all commercial transactions, and in the common dealings of life. Particular weights belonging to this division: cwt. qr. lb. Used for Meat. 1 Tod 6 Tod = 1 Wey 2 Weys = 1 Sack 12 Sacks = 1 Last 24 Grains Division II.-Troy Weight. 20 Pennyweights 12 Ounces These are the denominations of Troy Weight when used for weighing gold, silver, and precious stones (except diamonds). But Troy Weight is also used by apothecaries in compounding medicines, and by them the ounce is divided into 8 drams, and the dram into 3 scruples, so that the latter is equal to 20 grains. For scientific purposes the grain only is used; and sets of weights are constructed in decimal progression, from 10,000 grains downwards to of a grain. By comparing the number of grains in the Avoirdupois and Troy pound and ounce respectively, it appears that the Troy pound is less than the Avoirdupois, in the proportion of 14 to 17 nearly; but the Troy ounce is greater than the Avoirdupois, in the proportion of 79 to 72 nearly. The Troy pound is equal to the weight of 22.815 cubic inches of distilled water, weighed in air, temperature 62° Fahrenheit, barometer at 30 inches. The carat, used for weighing diamonds, is 34 grains. The term, however, when used to express the fineness of gold, has a relative meaning only. Every mass of alloyed gold is supposed to be divided into 24 equal parts; thus the standard for coin is 22 carats fine, that is, it consists of 22 parts of pure gold, and 2 parts of alloy. What is called the new standard, used for watch-cases, &c. is 18 carats fine. 5. ANGULAR MEASURE; OR, DIVISIONS OF THE CIRCLE. 60 Seconds 60 Minutes 30 Degrees 90 Degrees = 1 Minute. = 1 Degree. = 1 Sign. = 1 Quadrant. 360 Degrees, or 12 Signs 1 Circumference. = Formerly the subdivisions were carried on by sixties; thus, the second was divided into 60 thirds, the third into 60 fourths, &c. At present the second is more generally divided decimally into 10ths, 100ths, &c. The degree is frequently so divided. 365 D. 5 H. 48 M. 45 S. 1 Solar Year. = In 400 years, 97 are leap years, and 303 common. The same remark, as in the case of Angular Measure, applies to the mode of subdividing the second of time. COMPARISON OF MEASURES The old ale gallon contained 282 cubic inches. The old wine gallon contained 231 cubic inches. The old Winchester bushel contained 2150 cubic inches. Hence, with respect to Ale, Wine, and Corn, it will be expedient to possess a TABLE OF FACTORS, For converting old measures into new, and the contrary. N. B. For reducing the prices, these numbers must all be reversed. 53 cwt. 1 Chaldron of coals, without) ingrain 1 Chaldron of coals at Newcastle is [By an act of parliament in 1831, coals within 25 miles of the General Post Office, London, must be sold by weight.] 24 Cubic feet of sand, or 18 cubic feet of earth, or 17 cubic feet of clay, make 1 ton. 1 Yard cube of solid gravel or earth contains 18 heaped bushels before digging, and 27 heaped bushels when dug. 27 Heaped bushels make 1 load. FRENCH AND ENGLISH WEIGHT AND The following is a comparative Table of the Weights and Measures of England and France, which were published by the Royal and Central Society of Agriculture of Paris, in the Annuary for 1829, and founded on a Report, made by Mr. Mathieu, to the Royal Academy of Sciences of France, on the bill passed the 17th of May, 1824, relative to the Weights and Measures termed "Imperial," which are now used in Great Britain. |