Star.
London, England, 1821-04-21 00:00:00

PA LIAMENTARY

ormnse RETORT OE TR! COMMISSIONERS APPOINT= ST Rasta
rd
TO CONSIDI/1 THE StILIECT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES,
MAT IT PLEASE TOUR MAJESTY,
We, the Commissioners appointed by your Ma.
jesty for the purpose of considering the subject of
Weights and Measures, have now completed the ex-
amination of the standards which we have thought
it necessary to compare. The measurements winch
we have lately performed upon the apparatus em-
ployed by the late Sir George Shuckburgh Evelyn,
have enabled us to determine with sufficient preci.
sion the weight of a given bulk of water, with a
view to the fixing the magnitude of the standard-of
weight ; that of length being already determined by
the experiments related in our former Reports; :out
we have found by the computations, which will his
detailed in the Appendix, that the weight of a cubit
inch of distilled water, at 62 deg. of Fahrenheit, is
252.72 grains of the Parliamentary standard pound
of 1758, supposing it to be weighed in a vacuum.
We beg leave, thetefore, finally to recommend;
with all humility, to your kajesty, the adoption of
the regulations and modifications suggested iu oar
former Reports, which are principally these:
1. That the Parliamentary standard yard, made by Bird in
1760, be henceforward considered as the authentic legal stand.
and of the British Empire ; and that it be identified by deck!,
ing that 39.17.9.1 inches of this standard, at the temperature.;
62 of Fahrenheit, have been found equal to the length el a pen.
dulum supposed to vibrate seconds in London, on the level of
the sea, and in a vacuum.
C. 'That the Parliamentary standard Troy pound, amen
to the two pound weight made in 175 K, remain unaltered; acd
that 7000 Troy grains be declared to constitute an Avoiraupujs
pound ; the cubic inch of distilled water being found to weigh
at 62 deg. in a vacuu:n, '252.72 Parliamentary grains.
3. That the ale and corn gallon be restored to their engin;
equality, by taking, for the statutable common g..P.on of the
British Empire, a mean value, such that a g.alou of comrn
water may welgh 10 pounds Avoirdupois in ordinary circum-
stances, its content being nearly 277.5 cubic inches; and that
correct standards of this impel ial gallon, and of the bushel, peck,
,quart, and pint, derived from it, and of their parts, be procured
without delay for the Exchequer, and for such other Aces is
your Alajesty s dominions as n:ay be ju Iged mest conveatent for
the ready use of your 3l..je,ty's subjects.
4. Whether any further legislative enactments are required„
foe enforcing a uniformity of practice throughout the
Empire, we do not feel ourselves competent to determine: but
it appears to us that nothing would b.: more conducive to the
attainment of this end, than to increase, as far as possible, the
facility of a ready recurrence to the legal standards, which re
apprehend to be in a great measure attainable by the meats that
we have recommended. It would also, in all probability, he of
advantage to give a greater degree of publicity to the Appendix
of our last Report, containing a comparison of the custmary
measures employed throughout the country.
5. We are not aware that any further services remain for is
eo perform, in the execution of the commands laid upon us by
your Majesty's Commission : but if any superintendence of the
regulations to be adopted were thought necessary. should
still be ttady to undertake such inspections and exatninations as
might be required for the complete attainment of the objecu is
question. (Signed) GEORGE CLERK.
DAVIES GILBERT.
WM. H. WOLLASTON.
THOMAS YOUNG.
HENRY KATEIt.