1835.] on Spirits. 265 



aimed at ; from the neglect of the latter, in the existing 

 law, the former has been compromised. 



It would, however, be no difficult matter to substitute a 

 system possessing both the above requisites; simple, as being 

 merely a statement of facts, and accurate as far as the state 

 of Science will enable experiment to approach. 



The standard, or proof spirits, should be clearly defined> 

 and its specific gravity stated at a fixed temperature, and, 

 probably, for this purpose, 62° Fahrenheit, would be the 

 most convenient point, as that made choice of by the Com- 

 missioners for Weights and Measures, and, consequently, 

 that at which the specific gravity, by altering the decimal 

 points, gives the weight per imperial gallon in pounds 

 avoirdupois. 



Two very eligible points offer themselves for that of the 

 standard spirit. 



That composed of equal parts by weight of alcohol and 

 water, or that proportion of the two at which the greatest 

 condensation takes place. 



Though the latter would be the most scientific, the 

 former, as differing little from the present standard, would 

 perhaps be preferred. 



A simple specific gravity instrument, with the assistance 

 of tables, containing the value of spirits at every other 

 gravity, either by considering the proof spirit as unity, or 

 expressed in per centages as now made use of, but referred 

 to the same temperature 62°, is all that will be required. 



Probably, giving tables constructed on both these princi- 

 ples would be found a stiU^reater improvement, the former 

 as affording a very simple means of ascertaining the value 

 of, or duty to be paid per gallon by spirits of every specific 

 gravity, the latter as necessary in estimating with facility 

 the bulk of proof that any other spirit would produce. 



Article IV. 

 Notice of some Recent Improvements in Science. 



MINERALOGY. 



This science has made rapid progress ever since minerals 

 began to be arranged according to their strict atomic 

 composition. In confirmation of this statement, it is 

 only necessary to refer to the pages of foreign journals, 



