silk, liquos, &c.; and the latter for coarse and heavy articles, as bread, corn, flesh, butter, cheese, tallow, pitch, tar, iron, copper, tin, &c., and all grocery wares. And Mr. Ward supposes that it was brought into use from this circumstance, viz. as it was customary to allow larger weight, of such coarse articles, than the law had expressly enjoined, and this he observes happened to be a sixth part more. Apothecaries buy their drugs by avoirdupois weight, but they compound them by troy weight, though under some little variation of name and divisions. We must now furnish the present standard as it has been promulgated by a committee of the House of Commons. The report is divided under four heads; and the substance of that important document is annexed :: In the first and second clauses of this act it is enacted that the old standard yard of 1760, in the custody of the clerk of the House of Commons, shall continue to be the standard unit of extension, or lineal, superficial, and solid measures, when the temperature is at 62° of Fahrenheit's thermometer. From this it is evident that no change is to be made upon these measures throughout the empire, and that all the measurements depending upon them are to remain the same as before. In Scotland, however, considerable changes must take place, especially in the measurement of land, which is universally measured by the Scots acre, raised from the Scots chain, or twenty-four times the length of the Scots ell. This ell, according to the oldest and best authority, is 37 English inches, from which standard of course, the equalization of the Scots' land measures must be derived. In the third clause it is enacted that, if the standard yard should be lost or injured, it is to be restored by a reference to the length of the pendulum, vibrating seconds in the latitude of London, at the level of the sea, and in vacuo. This length has been found, and is by the act declared to be 39-1393 inches. Hence the length of the yard to that of the pendulum is in the proportion of thirtysix inches to 39-1393 inches, or of the number 360,000 to the number 391,393; so that if the length of the pendulum be divided into 391,393 equal parts, then will 10,000 of these parts be the length of an inch, according to the imperial standard. The fourth clause enacts that the old troy pound of 1758, now in the custody of the clerk of the House of Commons, shall continue to be the standard unit of weight; and that the avoirdupois pound, now in use, shall contain 7000 grains, of which the troy pound contains 5760, according to this act. Hence, contrary to the opinion of many writers, the weight of the troy or standard pound, to that of the avoirdupois or common pound, is in the proportion of 5760 grains to 7000 grains; or of the number 144 to the number 175. Hence, also, no change will take place in the transactions of business where such weights were used formerly; but in Scotland numerous changes of weights must occur in the sale of many articles of ordinary consumption. These changes will be not only different in almost every county, but even sometimes different in various parts of the same county. The use of the Dutch or Scots troy pound, and of the tron which varies so much throughout that country, will be utterly abolished, and all local enactments regarding them rendered nugatory. According to the best authorities, the standard Dutch or Scots troy (or, as it is sometimes called, the Lanark pound) contains 7621 English troy grains; and the old Tron, most in use, 100037 English troy grains: upon these data our tables of equalisation for the weights of Scotland are founded. In the sixth clause it is enacted that, if the standard troy pound should be lost or destroyed, it is to be restored by a reference to the weight of a cubic inch of distilled water, which has been found, and is declared to be 252-458 troy grains, at the temperature of 62° Fahrenheit, the barometer being at thirty inches. Hence the weight of a pennyweight troy is to that of a cubic inch of distilled water, in such circumstances, in the proportion of twenty-four grains to 252-458 grains, or of the number 24,000 to the number 252,458; so that the weight of the cubic inch of water must be divided into 252,458 equal parts, and 24,000 of them will be the standard pennyweight, from which the ounce and the pound, its multiples, can be easily derived. The sixth clause enacts that, the new standard measure of capacity for all liquids, and dry goods not measured by heaping, shall be a gallon containing ten pounds avoirdupois weight of distilled water, weighed in air at the temperature of 62° Fahrenheit's thermometer, the barometer being at thirty inches; that the quart shall be the fourth part of this imperial standard gallon, and the pint oneeighth; that two such gallons shall be a peck, and eight shall be a bushel; and that eight such bushels shall be a quarter of corn, or other dry goods, not measured by heaped measure. To find the capacity of this new gallon, it is necessary to refer to the fifth clause of the act, where we have the standard weight of a cubic inch of water given in grains; hence we find the number of cubic inches in the gallon by the following proportion :As 252-458 grains : 1 cubic inch :: 10lbs., or 70,000 grains: 277 274 cubic inches, which are consequently the contents of the imperial standard gallon. Though the identification of this gallon is thus remotely connected with the standard of length, and still more so with the length of the pendulum, yet it may be proper here to point out a mode of verifying it, and restoring it, if ever the standards of weight or measure should be lost or destroyed. The contents of the cube of the sixth part of the length of the pendulum vibrating seconds in the latitude of London, at the level of the sea and in a vacuum, are so very near that of the imperial standard gallon, that the difference is only about of a cubic inch. For one-sixth part of the length of the pendulum is 6:5232166 inches; and the cube of this is nearly 277-578 cubic inches, which differs from the contents of the gallon only by 304 of a cubic inch. Now this difference is so small that the one may be reckoned a sufficient identification of the other, a circumstance which brings this gallon nearer to a fixed and invariable standard than perhaps was ever thought of. Another circumstance of considerable importance may be remarked, as it serves to render the standard of weight, determined by water, independent of thermometric graduations. The temperature (62° Fahrenheit's thermometer) at which the water has been fixed for the determination of the standards of weight and measure is one which is situated above the freezing point, at exactly the sixth part of the distance between the freezing and the boiling points. The connexion of these two facts will therefore render the standards of weight and of measure so far invariable in future, inasmuch as they are independent of artificial measurements and graduations, and can be easily referred to nature alone for their prototypes; 1. That the cube of the sixth part of the second's pendulum at London is so near the capacity of the imperial standard gallon as to be considered an identification; and, 2. That the tenth part of the weight of an imperial standard gallon of water, at a temperature above that of freezing (in the mercurial thermometer), which is exactly the sixth part of the distance between the freezing and boiling points, is an imperial standard avoirdupois pound. The changes which this alteration in the standard of capacity produces are very great. By this clause the old standard wine gallon of 231 cubic inches, the old standard ale and beer gallon of 282 cubic inches, the old standard corn gallon of 268-8 cubic inches, or the standard Winchester bushel of 2150-42 cubic inches, the old standard Scots pint (or Stirling jug) of 103 404 cubic inches, and the Both of the Pendulum 12 Inches 3 Feet 5 Yards 40 Poles or 220 Yards old standard Scots wheat and barley firlots (com monly called the Linlithgow wheat and barley fr lots), with all other local measures of every descrip tion, are completely abolished. The seventh clause enacts that the standard measure of capacity i goods sold by heaped measure shall be the bushe containing eight imperial gallons, or eighty aver dupois pounds of water at the above-mentione temperature; and that it shall be made round, wi a plain and even bottom, and be 194 inches fr outside to outside. In the eighth clause it furte enacts that, in using this bushel, it shall be heated in the form of a cone, to the height of six inche and the outside of the bushel is to be the extremity of the base of this cone. In the clause appende to the bill, above alluded to, it is enacted that a such measures shall be made cylindrical, and the their diameters shall be at the least double the depths, and the height of the cone or heap shall be equal to three-fourths of the depth of each measure its outside being the extremity or base of the cute 1. Long Measure. 8 Furlongs or 1760 Yards = 1 Inch 1 Yard 1 Pole or Perch 1 Furlong Pendulums. *025550 •306597 ⚫919792 5.058854 202.354156 1618-833244 N. B.--The English land chain = 22 yards or 66 feet, and contains 100 links; 1 link = 7·92 inches. 1 Square Yard 1 Square Pole 1 Rood of land 1 Acre of land 1023-680107 4094-720426 N. B.-The Square Chain 484 Square Yards, and 10 Square Chains = 1 Acre. N. B.-A Cubic Foot of distilled water, at 62° Fahrenheit, weighs almost exactly 997-136969 Ouncti Avoirdupois, and at the maximum density 999-2777 Ounces Avoirdupois. N. B.-A Cubic Inch of distilled water, at the maximum density, weighs 253 Troy Grains. N. B.-175 Troy Pounds 144 Avoirdupois Pounds; and 175 Troy Ounces 192 Avoirdupois Ounces. Pounds Avoirdupois Cubic Inches 二优 4 Pecks or 8 Gallons 8 Bushels 1 Gallon 1 Peck 1 Bushel = 1 Quarter 20 80 = 640 of Water. 8.6643125 34.65925 69.3185 277.274 554-548 2218.192 17745-536 N. B. The proportion of the Imperial Gallon to the Wine Gallon is as 6 to 5 nearly, to the Ale Gallon as 59 to 60 nearly, and to the Corn Gallon as 33 to 32 nearly; its proportion to the Stirling Pint is as 59 to 22 nearly. N. B.-The depth of the Imperial Bushel is required by the Act to be eight inches, though this is not expressed; because the height of the heap or cone is six inches, and this must be equal to threefourths of the depth. N. B. The proportion of the Imperial Bushel to the Linlithgow Wheat Firlot is as 106 to 105 nearly, and to the Barley Firlot as 92 to 133 nearly. Tables of Equalisation. = = In the following tables of equilisation the most exact proportions are adopted, viz. 277274 English Wine Gallons = 231000 Imperial Gallons; 277274 English Ale Gallons =282000 Imperial Gallons; 277274 English Corn Gallons = 268800 Imperial Gallons; 138637 Standard Scots Pints 103404 Imperial Half Gallons; 2218192 Standard Wheat Firlots =2197335 Imperial Bushels; 2218192 Standard Barley Firlots = 3205524 Imperial Bushels; 7000 Troy Pounds 5760 Avoirdupois Pounds; 7000 Dutch or Scots Troy Pounds 7621 Avoirdupois Pounds; 7000 old Tron Pounds 100037 Avoirdupois Pounds; 32 Glasgow Tron Pounds 45 Avoirdupois Pounds; 360 Standard Scots Ells=372 Imperial Yards; and 3025 Standard Scots Acres = 3844 Imperial Acres. These tables are also Equilisation Tables of Prices, as well as of Weights and Measures, but in the inverse ratio of the latter. Thus, for example, 1 lb. Tron. = 1429091lb. Avoirdupois; but, when the price of a lb. Avoirdupois is = 1, the price of a lb. Tron is 1.429091. Also 1 lb. Avoirdupois=699746 lb. Tron; but, when the price of a lb. Tron is = 1, the price of a lb. Avoirdupois is 699746; the whole of the tables are calculated to the nearest millionth part of a unit. = = = WEIMAR, SAXE, a small independent state of Germany, with the title of a grand duchy. It consists of several districts, the surface of which, when added together, form an area of 1450 square miles, with somewhat more than 200,000 inhabitants. The whole is divided into two parts or provinces. The province of Weimar comprehending the duchies of Weimar and Jena, with part of the principality of Altenburg, the chief part of the circle of Neustadt, and the petty districts of Ilmenau, Oldisleben, and Alstadt, which lie scattered in Thuringia. The extent of this province is 970 square miles; its population above 135,000. The other, called the province of Eisenach, comprises the duchy of that name, with some districts to the east of the Hesse-Cassel territory, acquired in 1815. The area is 480 square miles; the population above 66,000. The soil, being in general fertile, yields corn enough for consumption; and the pastures on the hills feed numerous flocks of sheep; but the larger cattle are less attended to. The province of Eisenach is more mountainous, and consequently less productive, than that of Weimar. Its chief wealth is in its forests, its pasturages, its mines and quarries. Hemp and flax are reared; but the growth of corn is inadequate to the consumption. Manufactures of linen and hardware are carried on to some ex This tent. The revenue is about £150,000 a year. The WEIMAR, the capital of the grand duchy, is situated on the banks of the river Ilm, fifty miles W.S. W. of Leipzic, with a woody mountain to the north, and hills of little elevation to the south and east, while the river winds along the south side of the town. The prospect, if not striking, is pleasant. The town itself is built in a plain and somewhat antique style: its population somewhat exceeds 8000. The grand ducal residence is a large castle, finely situated to the east, with a park extending along the banks of the Ilm, and open to the public. The Belvedere, another residence of the reigning family, is situated on a delightful eminence to the south. Weimar has long held a high rank in Germany for literature. Early in the present century, Weimar reckoned among its residents above twenty writers of note, at the head of whom were Schiller, Goethe, Herder, Wieland, and, for a time, Kotzebue. The public institutions, if not numerous or extensive, are useful and well managed. For education, there is a classical school, a seminary for schoolmasters, and an academy for drawing, painting, and sculpture. The public library, containing above 100,000 volumes, is well selected; and here is an institution of great extent, though a private establishment, connected with the study of geograghy and statistics. Maps, globes, geographical publications, periodical and permanent, all issue from this repository in great numbers. Lithography is applied to maps, and in some degree to books. The inhabitants derive their support chiefly from the residence of the court. WELCHPOOL, a market-town in Pool hundred, Montgomery, nine miles north of Montgomery, and 177 from London. The town is pleasantly situate at the bottom of a hill, so that the upper part of the church-yard is nearly on a level with its roof. The market-house is neat and con canal also venient. The county hall is a modern brick struc- WELCOMENESS, n. s. venu; Dutch welkom. Received with gladness; admitted willingly; grateful; pleasing: a form of salutation; a kind salutation: to welcome is to salute with kindness or hospitality: welcomeness and welcomer correspond. I should be free from injuries, and abound as inuch Why I should welcome such a guest as grief. Shakspeare. Id. Id. Some stood in a row in so civil a fashion, as if to welcome us; and divers put their arms a little abroad, which is their gesture when they bid any welcome. Bac. Here let me earn my bread, Till oft invocated death Hasten the welcome end of all my pains. Milton. Our joys, after some centuries of years, may seem to have grown older, by having been enjoyed so many ages; yet will they really still continue new, not only perupon the scores of their welcomeness, but by their petually equal, because infinite, distance from a period. Boyle. easy, has found the true art of living, and being wel- Moxon. WELD, or WOLD, in botany. See RESEDA. WELDING HEAT, in smithery, a degree of heat given to iron, &c., sufficient to make the surfaces of two pieces incorporate upon being beaten together with a hammer. See IRON. WELFARE, n. s. Well and fare. Happiness; success; prosperity. If friends to a government forbear their assistance, they put it in the power of a few desperate men to ruin the welfare of those who are superior to them in strengh and interest Addison. Discretion is the perfection of reason: cunning is a kind of instinct that only looks out after our immediate Addison. interest and welfare. WEL'KIN, n. s. From Saxon pealcan, to roll, or pelcen, clouds. The visible regions of the air. Only used in poetry. Ch ucer. Ne in all the welkin was no cloud. |