640 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1749. 



pretty exactly ;* the ale gallon exceeding the proportion by somewhat more than 

 one cubic inch and one quarter; but it exceeds the Winchester gallon, or 268.2 

 cubic inches by very near 14 cubic inches : and not one of these measures is 

 agreeable to the words of the assize, which directs, " that the bushel shall con- 

 tain 8 gallons of wheat, the gallon 8 pound of wheat of Troy weight, the pound 

 12 ounces of Troy weight, &c." according to the old laws of this land. It is very 

 plain, that the law-makers in Henry the 7th's time took the Troy weight for 

 the standard ; and most authors, who have written on this subject, have followed 

 their example. 



The great difficulty in fixing on a standard pound, agreeable to the assize, arises 

 from the uncertainty of the rule laid down in our laws of assize for raising the 

 pound from 7 680 grains of wheat ; as these grains differ in weight, in different 

 countries, and in different years, it might be said in the same field, and in the 

 same year. The uncertainty of a pound so raised might with great probability 

 occasion the variety in our weights and measures, so often complained of in our 

 ancient laws, and for the prevention of which Edward the 3d, in his 14th year, 

 ordered " standard weights and measures to be made of brass, and sent into every 

 city and town in the kingdom." 



Magna Charta points out the quarter of London as the only standard for 

 measures and weights of that time ; but we are left to guess of what measure or 

 weight it was the quarter part. If we suppose it the quarter of a ton, or 2000 

 pound weight, then the quarter was 300 pounds, and the 8th part of that, or a 

 bushel, was equal to a cubic foot, or 62-1- lb. ; whence less measures and weights 

 were easily deduced. Subsequent assize laws direct the greater measures to be 

 raised from the less; that 8 pounds should make a gallon ; 8 gallons a bushel ; 

 which was to be the 8th part of a quarter ; and by this 'rule the quarter is raised 

 to 512 pounds, and the ton to 2048 pounds. These measures and weights are 

 raised with ease from known parts of the foot. For a cubic vessel, whose sides 

 are equal to -jV of a foot, will contain a cube of spring water equal to an ounce 

 Avoirdupois ; and hence, by a regular geometrical progression, we shall obtain 

 cubes equal to 8, 64, 512 oz. or to 4, 32, 256, 2048 lb. Avoirdupois: and 

 from a cubic vessel containing one such pound, we shall have other cubic vessels, 

 equal in weight to 8, 64, 5 1 2 lb. ; and in measure to the gallon, busfiel, and 

 quarter, according to the assize. 



The gallon, bushel, and quarter, are called dry measures ; and are used for 

 ascertaining the quantity of corn, and other dry goods ; the gallon is also a liquid 



• For, as 144 : 175 :: 231 : 280.729.— And as 144 : 175 :: 224 : 272.222. This last comes 

 very near the vulgar dry gallon. — Orig. 



