130 PHENOMENA OF THE UNIVERSE. 



THE MODE OF EXPERIMENT UPON THE ABOVE TABLE. 



Let the weights which I have used be understood to be of 

 the same kind and computation with those of goldsmiths, 

 a pound being twelve ounces, and an ounce twenty penny 

 weights, a pennyweight twenty-four grains. I have chosen 

 gold as a standard of the ratios of other bodies, according to 

 the measure of its extension, not so much because it is the 

 heaviest of bodies, as because it is the most unique. For 

 other bodies which, in some degree, partake of inconstancy, 

 even after they have been tried by fire, retain a diversity of 

 weight and dimension; but pure gold appears to be en 

 tirely free from this property, and to be the same in all cir 

 cumstances. The experiment adopted in this case was 

 this: I made an ounce of pure gold into the form of a 

 cube ; I then prepared a small square vessel to receive that 

 body of gold, and to agree with it exactly, except that it 

 was a little too high ; yet so as that there might be marked, 

 by a distinct line, a space within the vessel in which the 

 gold cube might ascend. I did that for the sake of fluids, 

 that, when any fluid was to be put into the same vessel, it 

 might not flow over, but, by this method, be more conve 

 niently preserved in an accurate measure. I had, at the 

 same time, another vessel made in size and weight equal 

 with the former, that in a like vessel the ratio of the con 

 tents of the body might appear by itself. Then I had 

 made cubes of the same magnitude or dimensions in all 

 those materials specified in the table, which were capable 

 of division. But the fluids I made use of at the time, by 

 filling the vessel until the fluid ascended to the place that 

 was marked; and the powders in the same manner; but 

 those as closely pressed as possible ; but this with an espe 

 cial view to their lying even and not suffering injury. The 

 proof, therefore, was no other than that one of the vessels 

 being empty, should be put with an ounce in one scale, 

 another of the vessels in another, with a body in the lump, 

 and the ratio of the weight be taken ; so that in the pro 

 portion of its diminution would the dimensions of the same 

 body be increased. For example, when a cube of gold 

 gives one ounce, but one of fat a pennyweight, it is clear 

 that the extension of the body of gold, compared with the 

 extension of the body of fat, has a twentieth ratio. It was 

 desirable also, that the mode should be noted down of the 

 measure which comprehended an ounce of gold ; it was 

 that of a pint of wine, according to English measure, a 

 fraction a little less than two hundred and sixty-nine. The 



