British, French, and Dutch Weights. 71 



the real value of the kilogramme, at least the different dupli- 

 cates of this weight should have been equal amongst each 

 other, which, however, is far from being the case. 1 am sorry 

 to add, that some such variation is, to a certain extent, pre- 

 vailing as to the British troy pound. I have noticed already, 

 that there is some slight difference between Mr. Bate's troy 

 pound and Mr. Robinson's 5760 grains, but there are instances 

 of much greater differences. 



In 1818 the British consul at Rotterdam applied to the 

 general masters of the mint at Utrecht for a standard copy 

 of that weight, which, at that time, was used in the Mint of this 

 country. In consequence, a standard copy of the Dutch troy 

 pound was prepared and forwarded to the British consul, and 

 he was requested to procure in return a standard of the 

 British troy pound. Agreeably to this, two copies of a brass 

 standard British troy pound were adjusted at the Mint in 

 London, and sent to this country, together with a certificate 

 from a Mr. Field of the London Mint. I have examined both 

 these copies of the British troy pound, and one is actually in 

 my possession, whilst the other is kept at the Mint office in 

 this city. Upon each of these brass troy pounds the following 

 inscription is engraved, which stamps them, as it were, with 

 a character of officiality : 



BRITISH TROY POUND 



= 5760 GRAINS. 



FROM 



HIS MAJESTY'S MINT. 



Notwithstanding this certificate of authenticity, and a paper 

 belonging to them, in which a Mr. Field, an officer, as it 

 would appear, of the Mint, asserts that they were carefully 

 adjusted, both these weights are unequal to each other, and 

 to the 5760 of Mr. Robinson's grains. 



That which is at present kept in the Mint Office of Utrecht weighs 5758.57 grs. 

 The second, now in my possession 4 , . 5758.40 



Whilst Mr. Bate's imperial troy pound holds , . : , r fei. 5759 - 935 



It is exceedingly vexing to see weights adjusted in the 

 Mint of England, and on which expense has not been spared*, 

 differing more than $ of a grain from each other. Further- 

 more, the difference of these weights, Mr. Robinson's grains 



* The sum of 5/, 5s, was charged for making and adjusting these weights. 



