Towler, John. The Silver Sunbeam. Joseph H. Ladd, New York: 1864. Electronic edition prepared from facsimile edition of Morgan and Morgan, Inc., Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Second printing, Feb. 1974. ISBN 871000-005-9

Chapter XLV.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

WEIGHTS and capacities in England and France are estimated from certain standard linear measurements. In England, a pendulum vibrating seconds of time in a vacuum, at the latitude of London, and at the level of the sea, is assumed as the standard of linear dimensions; it is 39.1393 inches. This is the standard, too, of all our measurement of length, capacity, and weight in the United States. But, like the English, we retain all the old and arbitrary systems of weights and measures; whereas the French have assumed. a decimal system in all their measurements that merits the highest praise and imitation. The linear standard of the French, from which they derive all other measurements, is called a métre. It is the ten-millionth part of a quarter of the earth's meridian, and measures 39.371 inches. The métre is divisible decimally in both directions.

The connecting link between the English linear unit and their measures of capacity and weight are as follows:

A cubic inch of distilled water weighed in air with brass weights at a temperature of 62° Fahr., the barometer standing at 30 inches, is equal to two hundred and fifty-two grains and four hundred and fifty-eight one thousandth parts of a grain; of such grains 5760 are required to make the imperial standard troy or apothecaries; pound; and 7000 of such grains make the commercial or avoirdupois pound. The imperial gallon has a capacity of 277.274 cubic inches; and a gallon of distilled water, as above, weighs 10 pounds avoirdupois, or 70,000 grains.

The connecting link between the French linear unit and their measures of weight and capacity, are as follows

A cubic centimétre of distilled water, at its maximum density, at the temperature of 39.5° Fahrenheit, is the unit of weights and is called a gramme, which is divided decimally above and below.

A cubic decimétre is called a litre, which is the unit of the measures of capacity, and divisible decimally.

Comparison of Weights and Measures.
Apothecaries' Weight.

Symbols.

grain=gr. scruple=. drachm=. ounce=. pound=lb

Apothecaries' Measure of Capacity. (United States.)

Avoirdupois Weight.

Apothecaries' grains.

Weight of Water at 62° and Capacity of:

French Measures of Length.

French Weights

A gramme of water=1 cubic centimétre=15.43 grains=17 minims.

1000 grammes of water=1 litre=1 kilogramme=15434.023 grains=2 lb. 3.27 oz.