The inch is generally divided, on scales, into tenths, or decimal parts; but in squaring the dimensions of artificers' work, the duodecimal system is adopted ;—thus, the inch is divided into 12 parts or lines, each part into 12 seconds, and each second into 12 thirds.

In land measure there are (besides the above pole of 16 feet, which is called statute measure) the woodland pole of 18 feet, the plantation pole of 21 feet, the Cheshire pole of 24 feet, and the Sherwood Forest pole of 25 feet. A rope in some kinds of measurement is reckoned 20 feet, 30 acres is called a yard of land, 100 acres a hide of land, and 640 acres a mile of land.

Land is usually measured by a chain of 4 poles, or 22 yards, which is divided into 100 links. 10 chains in length and one in breadth make an acre, which equals 160 square perches, or 4840 square yards.

By cubic measure marble, stone, timber, masonry, and all artificers' works of length, breadth, and thickness, are measured, and also the contents of all measures of capacity, both liquid and dry.

The pint is subdivided into halves and quarters, the latter is called a

gill. A rundlet is 18 gallons, and an anker nine.

5 quarters.

1 coom

1 quarter ..
1 wey or load

1 last

49,770 do..1409,37216 99,540 do..2818,74432 common measure for corn and

2 weys The Winchester bushel, which is the seeds, should be 18 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. Its contents are therefore as above 2150,42 inches. Corn and seeds are measured in the port of London by striking the bushel from the brim, with a round piece of light wood, about 2 inches in diameter and of equal thickness from one end to the other. All other dry goods are heaped.

There are two other bushels of different shapes, but containing the same quantity; the one called the drum bushel, generally used for the London granaries, is 13 inches in diameter, and 16,2 inches in depth; and the other called the farmer's bushel, is chiefly used in the country, its diameter is 15,375, and depth, 11,589 inches. These shapes are chosen for the convenience of working and loading; but the shallow vessel or standard, to avoid the effects of pressure in filling, which depth might cause.-For the New Imperial Measure, see page 960.

The dimensions of the Imperial standard bushel are as follows:The outer diameter 19 inches, and the inner diameter 18. The depth is 84, and the height of the cone, for heaped measure, is 6 inches. Hence the contents of the stricken Imperial bushel are 2218,192 cubic inches, and it is to weigh 80 lb. avoirdupois of water, as stated in page 966. The contents of the Imperial heaped bushel are 2815,4887 cubic inches. The subdivisions and multiples of this measure are of course in the same proportion.

In some markets corn is sold by weight, which is the fairest mode of dealing, but not the most convenient in practice. Even where mea sures are used, it is customary to weigh certain quantities or propor tions, and to regulate the prices accordingly. The average

bushel of

wheat is generally reckoned at 60 lb.-of barley 47 lb.-of oats 38 lb.peas 64, beans 63, clover 68, rye and canary 53, and rape 48 lb. In some places a load of corn, for man, is reckoned five bushels, and a cart

40 bushels.

COAL MEASURE.

Coals have been generally sold by the Chaldron, bearing a certain proportion to Winchester measure. The following are the principal

The Coal bushel holds one Winchester quart more than the Winchester bushel; it therefore contains 2217,62 cubic inches. This Dushel must be 19 inches wide from outside to outside, and 8 inches Jeep. In measuring coals, it is to be heaped up in the form of a cone, at the height of at least 6 inches above the brim (according to a regulation passed at Guildhall in 1806.) The outside of the bushel must be the extremity of the cone, and thus the bushel should contain at least 2814,9 cubic inches, which is nearly equal to the Imperial heaped bushel. Hence the chaldron should measure 58,64 cubic feet.

The chaldron of coals at Newcastle is not a measure, but a weight of 53 cwt. and the keel is 8 Newcastle chaldrons. Coals not only differ in their specific gravity, but even those of the same quality weigh more, measure for measure, when large, than when broken into smaller parts.*

NEW OR IMPERIAL SYSTEM.

Such was the state of weights and measures until the 1st of January, 1826, at which time the provisions of the act of the 5 Geo. IV. c. 74, intituled, "An Act for ascertaining and establishing uniformity of Weights and Measures," came into force, of which the following abstract contains the material provisions.

Standard yard defined as the measure of length.-The straight line or distance between the centres of the two points in the gold studs in the straight brass rod, now in the custody of the Clerk of the House of Commons, whereon the words and figures "STANDARD YARD, 1760,” › are engraved, shall be the original and genuine standard of that measure of length or lineal extension called a yard; and the same straight line or distance between the centres of the said two points in the said gold studs in the said brass rod, the brass being at the temperature of sixty-two degrees by Fahrenheit's thermometer, shall be and is hereby denominated the "IMPERIAL STANDARD YARD," and shall be the unit or only standard measure of extension, wherefrom or whereby all other measures of extension whatsoever, whether the same be lineal, superficial, or solid, shall be derived, computed, and ascertained. § 1.

Standard pound defined weight.-The standard brass weight of one pound troy weight, made in the year 1758, now in the custody of the Clerk of the House of Commons, shall be declared to be the original and genuine standard measure of weight, and such brass weight shall be denominated the imperial standard troy pound, and shall be the unit or only standard measure of weight, from which all other weights shall be derived, computed, or ascertained. § 4.

Standard gallon to be the measure of capacity.-The standard measure of capacity, as well for liquids as for dry goods not measured by

According to a new law begun in 1832, (2 Wm. IV. c. 76,) Coals are to be sold in London by weight, reckoning 10 sacks to equal 1 ton. Hence the sack should weigh 224 lb. and other measures in proportion. See page 720 and 722.

heaped measure, shall be THE GALLON, containing ten pounds avoirdupois weight of distilled water weighed in air, at the temperature of sixtytwo degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer, the barometer being at thirty inches; and a measure shall be forthwith made of brass, of such contents as aforesaid, under the directions of the commissioners of his Majesty's treasury; and such brass measure shall be the imperial standard gallon, and shall be the unit and only standard measure of capacity, from which all other measures of capacity to be used, as well for wine, beer, ale, spirits, and all sorts of liquids, as for dry goods not measured by heap measure, shall be derived, computed, and ascertained; and all measures shall be taken in parts or multiples, or certain proportions of the said imperial standard gallon, and the quart shall be the fourth part of such standard gallon, and the pint shall be one-eighth of such standard gallon, and two such gallons shall be a peck, and eight such gallons shall be a bushel, and eight such bushels a quarter of corn or other dry goods, not measured by heaped measure. § 6.

Standard for heaped measure. The standard measure of capacity for coals, culm, lime, fish, potatoes, or fruit, and all other goods and things commonly sold by heaped measure, shall be the aforesaid bushel, containing eighty pounds avoirdupois of water as aforesaid, the same being made round with a plain and even bottom, and being nineteen inches and a half from outside to outside of such standard measure as aforesaid. § 7.

In making use of such bushel, all coals and other goods and things commonly sold by heaped measure, shall be duly heaped up in such bushel, in the form of a cone, such cone to be of the height of at least six inches, and the outside of the bushel to be the extremity of the base of such cone; and that three bushels shall be a sack, and twelve such sacks shall be a chaldron. § 8.

Measure of weight, or heaped measure, to be used for wheat.-Provided always, that any contracts, bargains, sales, and dealings, made or had for or with respect to any coals, culm, lime, fish, potatoes, or fruit, and all other goods and things commonly sold by heaped measure, sold, delivered, done, or agreed for, or to be sold, delivered, done, or agreed for by weight or measure, shall and may be either according to the said standard of weight, or the said standard for heaped measure, but all contracts, bargains, sales, and dealings, made or had for any other goods, wares, or merchandise, or other thing done or agreed for, or to be sold, delivered, done, or agreed for by weight or measure, shall be made and had according to the said standard of weight, or to the said gallon, or the parts, multiples, or proportions thereof, and in using the same the measures shall not be heaped, but shall be stricken with a round stick or roller, straight, and of the same diameter from end to end. § 9.

Models and copies to be provided for counties, &c.-His Majesty's justices of the peace shall, within six calendar months after the passing of this act, purchase for their respective counties, ridings, or divisions, shires, or stewartries, cities, towns, or places, or cities or royal burghs, a model and copy of each of the aforesaid standards of length, weight, measure, and of each of the parts and multiples thereof; which models and copies, when so purchased, shall be compared and verified with the models and copies deposited with the chamberlains of the exchequer, and upon payment of such fees as are at present payable to the said chamberlains upon the comparison and verification of weights and measures with the standards thereof; and such models and copies, when so

compared and verified, shall be placed for custody and inspection with such person or persons, and in such place or places, as the said justices and magistrates shall appoint, and the same shall be produced by the keeper or keepers thereof, upon reasonable notice, at such time or times, and place or places, as any person or persons shall by writing under his or their hand or hands require; the person requiring such production paying the reasonable charges of the same. § 12.

Measures of capacity.—In all cases of dispute respecting the correctness of any measure of capacity, arising in a place where recourse cannot be conveniently had to any of the aforesaid verified copies or models, it shall be lawful for any justice of the peace or magistrate having jurisdiction in such place, to ascertain the contents of such measure of capacity, by direct reference to the weight of pure or rain water which such measure is capable of containing; ten pounds avoirdupois weight of such water, at the temperature of sixty-two degrees by Fahrenheit's thermometer, being the standard gallon ascertained by this act, the same being in bulk equal to 277 cubic inches, and 274 one-thousandth parts of a cubic inch, and so in proportion for all parts or multiples of a gallon. § 14.

Contracts for sale, &c. by weight or measure.-All contracts, bargains, sales, and dealings, which shall be made or had within any part of the United Kingdom, for any work to be done, or for any goods, wares, merchandise, or other thing to be sold, delivered, done or agreed for by weight or measure, where no special agreement shall be made to the contrary, shall be deemed to be made and had according to the standard weights and measures ascertained by this act; and in all cases where any special agreement shall be made, with reference to any weight or measure established by local custom, the ratio or proportion which every such local weight or measure shall bear to any of the said standard weights or measures, shall be expressed, declared, and specified in such agreement, or otherwise such agreement shall be null and void. § 15.

Existing weights and measures may be used being marked.—And as it is expedient that persons should be allowed to use the several weights and measures which they may have in their possession, although such weights and measures may not be in conformity with the standard weights and measures established by this act; it is therefore enacted, That it shall be lawful for any person or persons to buy and sell goods and merchandise by any weights or measures established either by local custom, or founded on special agreement: provided that in order that the ratio or proportion which all such measures and weights shall bear to the standard weights and measures established by this act, shall be and become a matter of common notoriety, the ratio or proportion which all such customary measures and weights shall bear to the said standard weights and measures, shall be painted or inarked upon all such customary weights and measures respectively; but nothing herein contained shall extend to permit any maker of weights or measures, or any person or persons whomsoever, to make any weight or measure at any time after the 1st day of May, 1825, except in conformity with the standard weights and measures established under this act. § 16.

Tables to be constructed for the collection of the customs and excise, &c. So soon as conveniently may be after the passing of this act, accurate tables shall be prepared and published under the direction of the commissioners of the treasury, in order that the duties of customs and excise, and other revenue, may be adjusted and made payable