353 REPORT— T8G6. 



Report on the best means of 2'>rovidhiy for a Uniformity of Weiyhts 

 and Measures, ivith reference to the Interests of Science. By a 

 Committee, consisting of Sir John Bowring^ The Rt. Hon. C. B. 

 Adderley, M.P., Sir William Armstrong, C.B., F.R.S., The 

 Astronomer Royal, Samuel Brown, W. Ewart, 31. P., Dr. Farr, 

 F. P. Fellows, Prof. Frankland, Prof. Hennessy, F.R.S., 

 James Heywood, M.A., F.R.S., Sir Robert Kane, F.R.S., Dr. 

 Leone Levi, F.S.A., Prof. W. A. Miller, F.R.S., Prof. Rankine, 

 F.R.S., C. W. Siemens, F.R.S., CoL Sykes, M.P., F.R.S., W. 

 TiTE, M.P., F.R.S., Prof. A. W. Williamson, F.R.S., Lord 

 Wrottesley, D.C.L., F.R.S., James Yates, F.R.S. 

 Your Committee have much pleasure in reporting that during the year steps 

 of great importance have been taken to promote the adoption of one common 

 decimal system of weights and measures, both at home and abroad. In 

 November 1865 a second Conference was held at Frankfort, of official dele- 

 gates from different German States, including Austria, Prussia, Eavaria, 

 Saxony, Hanover, Wurtemberg, Baden, Hesse, Mecldenburg, Nassau, Olden- 

 burg, and the Hanse Towns, with a view of determining the basis of a 

 uniform system for the whole of Germany, in confirmation of what had been 

 agreed upon in 1863, on which occasion, however, Priissia was not repre- 

 sented. By a protocol of the 28th of November, the delegates resolved to take 

 the metre as a unit of measure with the other portions of the metric system, 

 allowing the coexistence of the foot of 3 decimetres, the inch of 3 centimetres, 

 and the line of 3 millimetres. It is much to be regretted that by thus com- 

 bining two otherwise antagonistic systems, the Commissioners have thrown 

 an impediment to the absolute introduction of the metric system ; but the 

 question will doubtless be subject to further consideration. The war which 

 has taken place in Germany has delayed the consideration of this and other 

 measures of progress ; but it is gratifying to learn tliat one of the first 

 conditions laid down in the preliminaries of peace was the establishment of a 

 uniform system of weights and measures, not only over the north for Germany 

 under the immediate influence of Prussia, but over the southern portions 

 also. 



In the United States of America considerable advance has also been made. 

 Seizing the opportunity of Mr. Yates Thompson's ^asit to the States, your 

 Committee desired him to ascertain what steps were taken on the subject in 

 that country ; and it is gratifying to learn that the Americans seem prepared 

 to advance further and much more expeditiously than we have done, Mr. 

 Thompson, whose able Report we have the pleasure to append (p. 355-363), 

 informed us that on the recommendation of a Select Committee on weights, 

 measures, and coinage, appointed by the National Academy of Science, two 

 Bills were introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives, one rendering 

 the use of the metric system lawful in the United States, and the other 

 authorizing the use in Post-offices of weights of the denomination of grammes ; 

 whilst joint resolutions were passed, enabling the Secretary of the Treasury 

 to furnish to each State one set of the standard weights and measures of 

 the metric system, and authorizing the President to appoint a Special Com- 

 missioner to facilitate the adoption of one uniform coinage between the 

 United States and foreign countries. These resolutions passed the House of 

 Representatives with little or no opposition. The two Bills have passed into 

 law. 



The approaching Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867 appeared to your 





