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XXXIV. Of the general Relation between the Specific Gra^ 

 vifics and the Strengths and Values of Spirituous Liquors, 

 and tlie Circumstances lij which the former are iiifluenced. 



[Continued from vol. xvi. p. 312.] 



Of Mr. Gilpi7i's Tulles, 



§ 2S. Xt appears that the importance of the subject of the 

 prei>ent essay has long since l)een universally acknowledged, 

 aiid that it has accordingly at various periods attracted the 

 attention of the legislature. Shortly after the passing the act 

 27 Geo. III. c. 31, already nientioned in § IS, an applica- 

 tion was made by government to sir Joseph Banks, hart., 

 president of the Roval Society, to put the matter in such a 

 train of investigation as might lead to the ascertaining of 

 the actual relative values of spirituous liquors, and the con- 

 sequent just appreciation of the duties to be paid in respect 

 of them. Sir Charles Blagden, who was at that time the 

 secretary of that learned body, was accordingly requested 

 10 assist in this business, and draw up a report of the results 

 of such experimeiits as should have been made with regard 

 to tlic subject, and which Dr. Dollfuss, a Swiss gentleman, 

 at that time in London, was engaged to perform. He ac- 

 cordingly tried a vast number of experiments for ascertain- 

 ing the effects of combination and temperature under all 

 possible circumstances on the specific gravities of spirituous 

 liquors. The genera! course of experiments was made with 

 jnalt spirit ; but he tried also several comparative ones with 

 Buch as had been rectified from rum and brandy, and [bund 

 no other difference than such as might be fairly aserilicd to 

 unavoidable errors. 



Upon examining the whole series of Dr. Dol fuss's results, 

 it was afterwards perceived, however, that though the num- 

 bers as tabulated agreed tolerably well upon the whole, yet 

 there was in some places found a sufficient degree of irre- 

 g-ularity in t!ie progression of the first differences to render 

 it adviseable to repeat several of the experiments ; and Dr. 

 Dollfuss leaving England about that time, the business of 

 this repetition was entrusted to Mr. Gilpin, clerk of the 

 Ko}'al Socie.t\'. This gentleman had already participated in 

 the work, by as-listing Dr. Dollfuss in the former experi- 

 ments, particularly in tiie very nice operation of w eighing 

 the mixtures ; his skill, accuracy, and patience, being well 

 known to the society in general. Mr. Gilpin became in- 

 Tirestcd in the business ; one ixperiment I'd on tet another, 



and 



