11s Opinion on Hydrometers, by Dr. Hare. 
subjected to trial. It could afford no security against the 
urces of error, or inconsistency, already specified, in my 
@bsétvaioiis respecting the hydrometer of Dicas 
It is, obviously, only with regard to the general design of 
the instruments laid before me, that I could be expected to 
express an opinion _extemporaneously. I could only say, 
how far one, either in its principle, or its construction, may 
be preferable to another: how far it may be less liable to de- 
government, I have not seen any su eriority, in those brought 
into competition with it, adequate to justify a hasty change. 
As the duties are now laid, it is only important to know, 
whether spirit is below ten per cent. under proof—above ten, 
and below five per cent. under proof—above five, or below 
proof—above proof, and below twenty per cent. over proof— 
above twenty, and below forty per cent. over proof. If go- 
vernment adheres to these rates, none of the instruments pre- 
dicated on the practice of England, [where the tax is regu- 
larly 1 ion to the quantity of proof spirits in the 
liquor] can be Hie to this country ; and it will be desira- 
ble to have a method of ascertaining, with accuracy, those 
gravities, above or below which, the duties are varied. 
Hence, an Sag hee much more simple, and much less ex- 
peribive, th w used, might answer better. 
Should the present nae of laying’ the duties, appear to the 
government, as it does to me, to be inaccurate and unjust, I 
would suggest, that the duty should be laid on the alcohol, of 
-825 ;* so that, in order to find the amount to be collected, it 
should only be requisite to multiply the number expressing 
the actual quantity of that liquid in the spirit, by a certain 
number of cents; and that, an hydrometer be so constructed, 
as to give the per a ‘of alcohol, and, at the er time, 
ist po coincidence of the different strengths, thus indi- 
the specific gravity, and with the strengths hither- 
Saas, by the per centage of water to’ be added or 
pete ce in order to render the liquor equivalent to proof 
ae palate! a there wuld be an advantage, in resorting 
o the natural standards of water and alco 1, instead of 
those wétitearity and ignorantly adopted, in the infancy of 
science, both as respects the equable payment of duties by the 
—_ and the unwary, and, the precision which such a system 
is nearly as strong 8 distillation will it 
sac for it in Gilpin’s Ta bles. Se 
