VOL. XLVI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 641 



measure, raised from a pound, in liquids now called a pint ; whence all the other 

 liquid measures are raised ; but with this difference in the proportion, that the 

 liquid bushel is not 64, but 63 pounds or pints ; 8 of which make the hogshead 

 equal to 63 gallons ; whence the contents, as well of the larger as smaller vessels, 

 or measures of capacity, are settled. 



The measures of capacity thus raised, are sufficiently convenient for common 

 use, and are generally retained at this time; but for weights, there has been 

 some variety from time to time, in the composition of the larger sort, used for 

 determining the weight of merchandise and heavy goods, as will appear from 

 the following extract from several old acts of parliament. The stone, for weigh- 

 ing lead, was settled at 12 lb; for wax, sugar, spices, and alum, at 8 lb; of 

 which last, 13^, or 108 lb. made the hundred-weight: the sack of wool was to 

 weigh but 26 stone, 14 lb. to each stone: a wey of cheese 32 cloves, each clove 

 7 lb. And for many years past, the hundred-weight has been fixed at 1 1 2 lb. 

 Avoirdupois, and that by a general consent, and without any particular law to 

 establish it. 



These weights have been universally and immemorially used in England, with 

 an exception to the weighing of gold, silver, and some very few commodities, 

 for which the Troy weight has been used for a great many years. When it was 

 first introduced into this kingdom, no where appears ; but Mr. Folkes, in his 

 tables of the English silver coins, tells us, it was not established or used at the 

 mint before the 18th of Henry the 8th. 



By reducing the liquid bushel, or one 8th of the hogshead, from 64 to 63 

 pints, it seems plain that our ancestors took the cubic foot for their model ; the 

 contents of such a vessel being 62-l pints or pounds : and hence it is not very 

 unnatural to conclude, that at first our ancestors fixed and established, as well 

 their weights as measures, from known parts of this model ; taking always a whole 

 number for each primary weight or vessel ; and thence proceeding, by a regular 

 geometrical proportion, to raise the greater weights or measures : so that the 

 English foot (the undoubted and universal standard of all measures of length 

 within this realm) is also the standard for the Avoirdupois * weights, and all mea- 

 sures of capacity. 



• The very name Avoirdupois, by which our common weights are known, has by some been 

 considered as a proof that tliey were of foreign extraction. The first time the word is used in our 

 laws, is in an act of Ed. III. St. 1, where it is applied to wines as well as corn ; as it is afterwards 

 in 25 Ed. 111. St. 3, c. 2, and l6 R. II. c. 1, And in an act 27 Ed. 111. St. 2, c. 10, is the following 

 clause : " Because we have perceived some merchants buy Avoirdupois merchandises by one weighty 

 and sell by another, we will and establish, that one weight, one measure, and one yard be through 

 all the land; and that wools, and all manner of Avoirdupois, be weighed by even balance." This 

 king, in his 14th year, had directed standard weights to be made of brass, and sent into every city 

 and town ; and probably those standards, from the words of the foregoing clause, took the name of 

 VOL. IX. 4 N 



