161. June 16. Kent East Peckham, Orchard Cottage, XI. Negretti & Zambra 9 a.m. preceding Report on the best means of providing for a Uniformity of Weights and Measures, with reference to the Interests of Science. By a Committee, consisting of Sir JOHN BOWRING, The Rt. Hon. C. B. ADDERLEY, M.P., Sir WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, C.B., F.R.S., The ASTRONOMER ROYAL, SAMUEL BROWN, W. EWART, M.P., Dr. FARR, F. P. FELLOWs, Prof. FRANKLAND, Prof. HENNESSY, F.R.S., JAMES HEYWOOD, M.A., F.R.S., Sir ROBERT KANE, F.R.S., Dr. LEONE LEVI, F.S.A., Prof. W. A. MILLER, F.R.S., Prof. RANKINE, F.R.S., C. W. SIEMENS, F.R.S., Col. SYKES, M.P., F.R.S., W. TITE, M.P., F.R.S., Prof. A. W. WILLIAMSON, F.R.S., Lord WROTTESLEY, D.C.L., F.R.S., JAMES YATES, F.R.S. YOUR Committee have much pleasure in reporting that during the year steps of great importance have been taken to promote the adoption of one common decimal system of weights and measures, both at home and abroad. In November 1865 a second Conference was held at Frankfort, of official delegates from different German States, including Austria, Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Hanover, Wurtemberg, Baden, Hesse, Mecklenburg, Nassau, Oldenburg, and the Hanse Towns, with a view of determining the basis of a uniform system for the whole of Germany, in confirmation of what had been agreed upon in 1863, on which occasion, however, Prussia was not represented. By a protocol of the 28th of November, the delegates resolved to take the metre as a unit of measure with the other portions of the metric system, allowing the coexistence of the foot of 3 decimetres, the inch of 3 centimetres, and the line of 3 millimetres. It is much to be regretted that by thus combining two otherwise antagonistic systems, the Commissioners have thrown an impediment to the absolute introduction of the metric system; but the question will doubtless be subject to further consideration. The war which has taken place in Germany has delayed the consideration of this and other measures of progress; but it is gratifying to learn that one of the first conditions laid down in the preliminaries of peace was the establishment of a uniform system of weights and measures, not only over the north for Germany under the immediate influence of Prussia, but over the southern portions also. In the United States of America considerable advance has also been made. Seizing the opportunity of Mr. Yates Thompson's visit to the States, your Committee desired him to ascertain what steps were taken on the subject in that country; and it is gratifying to learn that the Americans seem prepared to advance further and much more expeditiously than we have done. Mr. Thompson, whose able Report we have the pleasure to append (p. 355-363), informed us that on the recommendation of a Select Committee on weights, measures, and coinage, appointed by the National Academy of Science, two Bills were introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives, one rendering the use of the metric system lawful in the United States, and the other authorizing the use in Post-offices of weights of the denomination of grammes ; whilst joint resolutions were passed, enabling the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish to each State one set of the standard weights and measures of the metric system, and authorizing the President to appoint a Special Commissioner to facilitate the adoption of one uniform coinage between the United States and foreign countries. These resolutions passed the House of Representatives with little or no opposition. The two Bills have passed into law. The approaching Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867 appeared to your Committee a most favourable opportunity for promoting uniformity in weights and measures, and they have suggested to the Imperial Commission an Exhibition of the weights, measures, and coins of all countries, and the hold-. ing of an International Conference on the subject at the same time. A similar request was sent to the Imperial Commission by the International Decimal Association, and in union with them we deputed Professor Leone Levi to proceed to Paris to put himself in communication with M. Le Play, the Commissaire-General, with a view to the advancement of the object. Professor Levi has fully succeeded in his mission, and a Special Committee of the Scientific Commission has been appointed. Your Committee indulge the hope that the proposed Exhibition with the International Conference will greatly promote the desired uniformity, and they are most anxious for the success of an undertaking in initiating which they have taken an active part. Professor Levi's report on the subject is appended (pp. 363-365). At all The International Statistical Congress, which met last at Berlin in 1863, proposes to hold its next Meeting in Florence in October next. its previous meetings the question of uniformity of weights, measures, and coins, in their character as statistical units, formed the subject of grave discussion; and although the Congress has not only repeatedly expressed its opinion in favour of uniformity, but made specific recommendations with a view to its attainment, it is most desirable that it should on this occasion also, when many of the Southern States of Europe are likely to be there represented, give its authoritative voice in favour of uniformity in weights, measures, and coins, both for statistical purposes, and the general progress of scientific and social intercourse among nations. The British Association has never yet been represented in that Congress, and it seems befitting that the section of Statistics and Economic Science should seize the opportunity for the discussion of a subject in which both that Congress and this Association have taken such lively interest, and for the establishment of a correspondence and mutual representation likely to prove most beneficial to Statistical Science; and Italy, whose contributions to science and art and political economy have been so valuable, will doubtless heartily welcome the representatives of this great and eminently progressive Association. The state of weights and measures in India has been brought before your Committee in two pamphlets, one on Indian weights and measures, by Mr. Gover, Principal of the Military Male Orphan Asylum of Madras, and the other by Mr. James Bridgnell, Head Accountant of Her Majesty's Mint, Calcutta, entitled, "Suggestions for a Decimal System of Measures, Weights, and Money for India." Having regard to the great importance of extending to that empire the same advantages of uniformity as we are labouring to promote in other parts of the world, your Committee have sent an address on the subject to the government of India. The question is now under their consideration; but much difference of opinion exists between the Madras and Bombay Commissions on the respective merits of the decimal and binary systems. It is most important that India should neither be separated from nor remain behind any country in the world; and we trust that at the forthcoming Exhibition and International Conference to be held in Paris she will send copies of all her weights, measures, and coins, and be duly represented in the French capital, especially as her trade with countries using the metric system is becoming more and more extensive. It is much to be desired that a measure for legalizing the use of metric weights and measures, similar to that passed in the United Kingdom, should be introduced in all the British Colonies, and your Committee would be glad 1866. 2 A to obtain the cooperation of Her Majesty's Secretary for the Colonies in so important a matter. At home, the only legislative measure recently passed bearing on the subject, is one for transferring to the Board of Trade the department of weights and measures, previously connected with the office of the Comptroller of the Exchequer. Your Committee regret that no provision has been made in the Act for authorizing that Board to provide themselves with a copy of the standard metric weights and measures, with a view to the stamping of the metric weights and measures in common use. The law on the subject is in a very anomalous state. Although the Metric Weights and Measures Act of 1864 has rendered permissive and legal the use of such weights and measures, the inspectors of weights and measures are by law bound to seize any such weights and measures not duly stamped; and since no means are now afforded for stamping them, the Act is rendered inoperative. Seeing that the system is being extensively introduced in many arts and manufactures, and in commerce generally, it is much to be desired that the law on the subject may speedily be amended. A deputation from your Committee waited on the late President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Milner Gibson, on the subject, and he promised to consider the introduction of a separate measure to remove the anomaly. But the session was too far advanced, and nothing has been done. Among the means by which Her Majesty's Government could promote such introduction, we might mention the preparation of all statistical documents by the Board of Trade in the terms of the metric system as well as in the imperial, and the publication of the British Tariff in a similar manner. The International Statistical Congress has strongly urged the former of these measures, and we see no reason why the Board of Trade and the Board of Customs should not supply these additional facilities, both to statists and British merchants. Although the articles now subject to Customs duty are very few, still the operation of the British Tariff is most perplexing to those accustomed only to a decimal computation. Your Committee have given their earnest consideration to the procuring of a Mural Standard as a means for diffusing information; and they have appointed a Subcommittee to ascertain and report on the best form and material in which such standard can be constructed. The Subcommittee have devoted much time to the subject, and they have finally succeeded in obtaining from Mr. Casella a model of a Metre and Yard combined, which seems to fulfil all the conditions necessary for the proper exhibition of these measures in the most conspicuous places. A special report on the subject by the convener of the Subcommittee, Mr. James Yates, is appended (pp. 365-367). The Committee propose purchasing some copies of such standard; and as the cost is five guineas each, the sum already voted by the Association will be barely sufficient for this item alone. Your Committee are anxious to see school instruction made more operative towards extending the knowledge of the metric system among the young. To promote this object, they have addressed themselves to the President of the Committee of Council on Education, for the purpose of suggesting the introduction of the metric system into the examination of teachers in the training schools supported by parliamentary grant, and a conference with teachers and others interested in education was held on the subject at the Lecture Theatre in Jermyn Street. Great difficulty is, however, experienced in inducing teachers to give due prominence to the metric system, so long as the use of it is only permissive, and all the tables of weights and measures according to the imperial system are still to be taught. |