1823.] the Barometer to the Measurement of Heights. 273 



One great excellence of M. Ramond*s tables consists in their 

 being (with a very slight exception) applicable to any system of 

 measures. They are, however, adapted to the centigrade ther- 

 mometric scale. In this respect I have not altered them, being 

 convinced that the simphcity and convenience of that scale must 

 sufficiently recommend it in all scientific applications ; and 

 having little doubt that the example of its adoption by philoso- 

 phers will ultimately be followed by the world at large. The 

 adoption of a system of measures founded on a philosophical 

 basis, will probably always be hindered by the close and 

 widely ramified connexion which the old system maintains with 

 all parts of the comn:ton business of hfe, and with the lowest 

 mechanical arts. It will probably be long before our carpenters, 

 bricklayers, and blacksmiths, will learn to compute by deci- 

 metres and centimetres ; but with respect to the introduction pf 

 the centigrade thermometer, the same objections by no means 

 apply. The thermometer is an instrument which has no appli- 

 cation in these common arts. The most ordinary use of it 

 implies a certain degree of education and scientific information ; 

 and to those not habituated to scientific studies, but who are yet 

 desirous of understanding the principle of their instrument, the 

 centigrade scale is surely far the best for facility of explanation. 

 In barometric observations, however, its appHcation is now 

 becoming so general that 1 conceive no explanation is necessary 

 for continuing the adoption of this scale in these tables. Most 

 mountain barometers, as at present constructed, are furnished 

 with a thermometer graduated both ways. For the convenience, 

 however, of those who continue to use the Fahrenheit scale, i 

 here insert a table of the simplest and most compendious form, 

 by which either scale may be reduced to the other with the 

 greatest ease and sufficient accuracy. 



New Series^ you lU 



