484. REPORT—1868. 
Report on the best means of providing for a uniformity of Weights 
and Measures, with reference to the Interests of Science. By a 
Committee, consisting of Sir Joun Bowrine, The Rt. Hon. C. B. 
AppeRLEY, .P., Mr. Samvuret Brown, Mr. W. Ewart, M.P., Dr. 
Farr, Mr. J. Fran Fettows, Prof. Franxianp, Prof. Hennessy, 
Mr. Jamus Heywoon, Sir Roperr Kane, Prof. Leone Levi, Prof. 
W. A. Miter, Prof. Ranxinz, Mr. C. W. Siemens, Col. Syxezs, 
M.P., Prof. A. W. Writtamson, Mr. James Yarrs, Dr. Grorcr 
Guover, Mr. Joseph Wuirwortn, Mr. J. R. Napier, Mr. H. 
Direcxs, Mr. J. N. V. Bazateetre, Mr. W. Smitrx, Mr. W. 
Farrparrn, Mr. Joun Rosrnson :—Prof. Luonr Levi, Secretary. 
Ir is now five years since, at the Meeting of the British Association held 
in Newcastle, a Committee was appointed to report on the best means of 
providing for a uniformity of weights and measures with reference to the 
interests of science, and since then their instructions have been enlarged to 
the effect that they should diffuse the knowledge of the relation amongst 
systems of Moneys, Weights, and Measures. Upon the first point regarding 
the uniformity of weights and measures, your Committee have already re- 
ported that the only mode of attaining such uniformity under present cir- 
cumstances is by the universal adoption of the Metric System; and they are 
confirmed in that decision by the very general concurrence of opinion in 
favour of this system, the repeated decisions of the International Statistical 
Congress, the practical adoption of the Metric System by many civilized 
nations, the entire satisfaction it affords wherever it has been introduced, 
and, lastly, by the extended and growing public opinion in favour of the same 
in this country. Other natural units have been urged for consideration, but 
your Committee have decided on the Metre as the best unit, solely from 
practical considerations. They have seen the absolute necessity of a change 
in the Weights and Measures of the country, from the extreme complication 
of the tables, from the great diversities which exist throughout the country, 
and from the extreme difficulty of teaching the present method, or of retain- 
ing it when learnt. They are convinced that we cannot introduce even the 
decimal scale in the present system without producing considerable change, 
and they have concluded that if a change is to be made it is most desirable 
to adopt the Metric System, which is at once simple and complete, and is 
certain sooner or later to be in general use throughout the world. It should 
be remembered that the metre is no longer an abstract idea—a scientific con- 
ception. It is a definite length—the length of a concrete object, deposited at 
the Archives of Paris, and exactly copied in the standards within our own 
reach. The time is past for finding out the best natural unit, and we must 
be satisfied with what we have got; viz. a unit really universal from its wide 
diffusion among modern nations. 
Your Committee are pleased to report that a Bill to establish Metric Weights 
and Measures has been introduced in the House of Commons by Mr. Ewart, 
and has met with a most satisfactory reception from both sides of the House. 
The President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Cave, in voting for the second reading 
of the same, said :—“ There can be no doubt that the progress of opinion in 
this and other countries as to an international system of Weights and Mea- 
sures as well as of coinage within the last few years has been remarkable. 
It may be dated from the Great Exhibition of 1851, and has received enor- 
