METRIC REFORM. 91 



planatory. The base-units may be represented, for example, as fol- 

 lows: 



That of length, by a straight line, graduated, to distinguish it from 

 minus. 



Surface, by a square. 



Solid cube or block. 



Capacity cup. 



"Weight pound-weight. 



Money coin, stamped. 



Angle two lines, meeting. 



Time waving line. 



"0 



We only suggest, and do not expand. 



The substance of the foregoing suggestions, summed up, is as fol- 

 lows : 



Adhering to the metric system as a basis its modification by the 

 following features : 



1. The entire abandonment of the present elaborate and ingenious 

 system of nomenclature, and of any attempt at universality in the 

 words employed to designate the units of the system. 



2. The expression of each unit by each nation in its own vernacular 

 tongue the units themselves being the same everywhere, but the ex- 

 pression in language adapted to the familiar tongue of each people. 



3. A common notation as the means of universality, instead of a 

 common system of names, the units and their icritten expression being 

 thus universally the same, while the spoken expression conforms to 

 familiar national usages. 



4. The words selected to express the several units to be suggestive 

 of easy standards of comparison with familiar objects. 



5. The notation also to be suggestive to the eye, as the nomenclat- 

 ure heretofore in use was to the learned ear, but not to the unlearned. 



6. The number of denominations to be reduced in conformity with 

 an observed tendency among men to use numbers instead ; oral expres- 

 sion to be simplified; and a suitable actual system of notation sug- 

 gested. 



7. The transition to the new system to involve the least practicable 

 loss of familiarity either with familiar objects or familiar names. 



These modifications adapt tho metric system to the needful human 

 conditions. Accepting its solutions of the natural conditions, they 

 conserve all that is really valuable, and reject only what is cumbrous. 

 The metric nomenclature is quite as unphilosophical as the English 

 scales ; both are fit only for decent burial. The real desideratum is to 

 reduce to a minimum the difficulty of introducing the new units. Can 

 the transition be better effected than on the foregoing principles? 



This ponderous and scattered human family a huge class of grown 

 pupils, not gathered into school-room, nor used to formal instruction 



