1872.] The Decimal System. 295 
to the bar system ; but if he should wish to translate into the 
decimal system some slight difficulty would present itself, 
though of course the conversion from one scale of notation 
to another is a simple mathematical operation. What is to 
be noticed is, that there is no inherent difficulty in the bar 
system any more than in the decimal system of notation. 
We will now examine the decimal system in reference to 
Weights, Measures, and Coinage. 
Starting from the fact that the decimal scale of notation 
is in general use, and, by reason of this fact, the decimal 
system is the one best suited for employment in our weights, 
measures, and coinage ; for in this manner all the so-called 
compound rules of arithmetic, and those depending on our 
present system of tables, such as reduction, are done away 
with, and other rules, such as interest, discount, &c., are 
much simplified. 
Seeing, then, that there is such a manifest advantage 
in favour of a decimal system of weights, measures, and 
coinage, how comes it that we have not that system? Who 
originated the system, or rather the medley or absence of all 
system which is in use in England at present? Topsy’s 
answer, when asked who made her, would be appropriate 
here—‘‘I s’pect I grow’d. Don’t think nobody never made 
me.” This was certainly the case. The foot, like the pied 
in France, was the length of the foot of the reigning king; 
and it seems to be a well-ascertained fact that this length, 
the standard length of the kingdom, changed, in some cases at 
all events, from reign to reign, according to the actual length 
of the king’sfoot. ‘Then, too, in measures and weights there 
were local usages in different parts of the country, and from 
these at last there grew up one standard system for the whole 
country ; but many local usages had to be subjects of severe 
legislation before they were finally abandoned. 
It now becomes a question whether the heterogeneous 
system of weights, measures, and coinage now in use ought 
to be continued, or whether we ought not to abolish it, and 
replace it by a decimal system. 
We will first consider the question of the weights and 
measures separately. Just let us take a glance at what it 
is necessary for an Englishman to know if he would be 
thoroughly acquainted with the weights and measures of 
his own country. 
We have three distinct tables of weights, viz., Avoirdupois, 
Troy, and Apothecaries’: Weight. We have, it may be said, 
one table for the measure of Length, but in reality there are 
more, for the link, the chain, and the pole are never used 
