TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 153 
ancient measures of land, and the original basis of the present system of linear 
measures, was almost identically the same as the metre—59°3 inches (for 39:37079 
inches). 
The only cause for delay in introducing a uniform system in India, seems to be 
the idea that the imperial weights and measures will still retain their position in 
England, and that their system must have some easy relationship with what pre- 
yails here. But the metric system is admitted to be the best, and if it should be 
finally adopted here, all that vast population would be exposed to the inconveni- 
ences of a second change. 
In the United States of America, the metric system is permissively legalized, 
but more completely than in England, by the introduction of the standards for 
verification. The official delegates of America have declared that the United States 
would follow England in making the use compulsory. If England took the lead, 
India and all her colonies would unite with us. The system which is now 
leeal, in whole or in part, and either compulsory or permissive, amongst 275,000,000 
of people, would then comprise upwards of 450,000,000 of people using the same 
weights and measure, with decimal subdivisions and multiples in the simplest and 
most perfect form either for calculations or commercial use. 
One hundred years ago such an idea might indeed seem utopian, as would also 
now be the notion of finding acceptance for another universal unit. But when, 
by peculiar circumstances, such rapid progress has been made towards uniformity, 
it is practical wisdom to seize every opportunity to promote it. In science, in 
commerce, in education, in international intercourse, in statistical inquiries, it is 
difficult to picture the vast benefits that would result from the adoption of one 
and the same unit by all civilized nations. 
Monetary Conferences—Far greater difficulties and differences of opinion lie in 
the way of a monetary unit of account, or even uniformity of metallic currency for 
the leading commercial nations; yet a great moyement has been going on therein 
during the past year. The Conference, in connexion with the Universal Exhibition 
at Paris, over which Prince Napoleon presided, discussed and agreed to resolu- 
tions that the different Governments should adopt a common base or unit in the 
issue of their gold coins; that it should be of the same fineness, nine-tenths; and 
that in each country there should be one piece at least equivalent to one of the 
pieces in another country, so that there might be a point of contact in the cur- 
rencies of all countries. The 5-franc piece in gold was finally adopted as the 
basis, since the multiples thereof would very nearly accord with the moneta 
units of several countries. M. Wolowski, the distinguished economist, defended 
with great eloquence and energy the double standard of silver and gold, but he 
found no seconder. A single gold standard, and everywhere the decimal subdivi- 
sion of the unit, were carried as the nearest means of obtaining some coin every- 
where current, and values easily translated into those of foreign nations, 
But the International Monetary Conference, which was called about the same 
period in June of last year by the French Government, is likely to produce still 
more definite results. All the leading Goyernments of Europe and America sent 
official delegates to represent them. The basis taken by the Conference, subject to 
such improvements as might be suggested, was the convention concluded the 23rd 
December, 1865, between Switzerland, Belgium, France, and Italy, for a common 
currency; by Article 12 of which convention the right of accession was reserved 
to any State which would accept the obligations and the monetary system of the 
union, as far as regards the gold and silver coins. The delegates did not appear to 
have any authority to bind their respective Governments, except that of Austria, 
for whom Baron yon Hock at the end of the Conference negotiated and signed a 
preliminary treaty of adhesion to the Convention of 1865. In the early part of 
1867 the Papal Government had joined the Convention, and in April of the same 
year the currency of Greece was remodelled on the same system. 
The French Government were anxious to obtain some definite answers to the 
propositions of the Congress, in order to call a new Congress with more extended 
owers; but no definite time was fixed for the replies, some voting for replies by 
the 1st October last, and Great Britain for an extension to the Ist June of this 
year. The report of the English delegates, Mr. Graham, Master of the Mint, and 
