The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-06-23
AN OLD ENGLISH CUSTOM.
Testing the Weights and Measures Once
in Twenty Years,


in Twenty Years.
A few days ago the weights and meas
ures in common use at the standards de-
partment, Old Palace yard, were taken
across to the house of commons, and there
officially compared with the units that
were buried in the wall of the house twen-
ty years ago. The exact spot of the burial
Is in the wall of the staircase leading from
the central lobby to the committee rooms
up stairs Quite number of people had
gathered together to see the ceremony.
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, president of the
board of trade, supported by several of his
officials, including Sir Henry Calcraft, the
speaker and Miss Peel, Mr.. Plunkett, first
commissioner of works; Colonel Caring
ton, representing the lord chamberlain;
Mr.. Cheney, warden of the standards, and
his predecessor, Mr.. Chisholm; Mr.. and
Mrs. Palgrave, and whole host of press
men and artists There is window just
opposite the standards tomb, and in the
bright sunshine stood the units taken from
the other side of Old Palace yard, and very
delicate and elaborate apparatus for max
ing comparisons.
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach opened the
proceedings with little speech. He said:
1--WE are met today to perform very
necessary and important Ceremony. You
are aware that there are four standards of
weights and measures in this country
which are kept within these walls, at the
mint, at the Royal society's and at the
British museum. They are preserved in
this manner in order that from time to
time they may be compared with the
standards in actual use. These COMPARE
sons are of the very greatest Importance
to the whole community, for by these
units the weights and measures, not only
of this country but also Of the colonies
are practically regulated. These standards
have been immured here for the last
twenty years. 1t is twenty years since
this wall was opened, and the standards
in use were then found to be absolutely
correct"
Mr.. Cheney next, amid breathless silence,
went to the wall, which had been opened
already, and took thence the case contain
ing the imperial standard of measure.
With hands carefully covered with white
gloves the warden seized the solid square
bar of bronze, which is 3S inches long and
inch square in section, 36 inches having
been carefully marked off. This bar was
compared microscopically with appara-
tus so exquisite that variation of even
LOO, 000th part of an inch could be detect
ed. After some calculation had been made
Mr.. Cheney declared that there had been
no change whatever-an announcement
received with enthusiasm by those who
witnessed the burial twenty years ago,
and had now come to watch the resurrec-
ton.
The warden then proceeded to unearth
the imperial standard of weight This is
a little cylinder of platinum 1.35 inches in
height and LIS inches in diameter. Ex-
traordinary precautions are taken in the
case of this pound-which, by the way, is
worth over forty pounds in the platinum
market. 1t is inclosed in case of silver
| gilt itself inclosed in a case of solid bronze.
| Mr.. Cheney had already removed outer
cases of mahogany, lead and oak. More
over, the platinum pound is wrapped, as a
| further precaution. in Swedish paper that
contains no silica. A comparison was eff
| fected on balance in vacuum where, by
means of microscope again, variation
of 1-10, 000th part of grain could be noted.
Again there was no alteration to speak of.
! Mr.. Cheney, addressing the assembly,
said he had finished the comparison be-
tween the immured and imperial stan
I dards, and had found them in the same
condition and to all intents and purposes
unaltered.
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach then said an
official report would be published in due
course, and suggested that with the
speakers permission they should now adj
| journ the meeting for twenty years.
The hint was taken, and the standards
were then replaced in the wall, which was
duly sealed. A mural brass plate marks
the precise spot.-Pall Mall Budget.