204 



Weights and Measures [no. 4, new series, 



Weight and Measure, it would be " perfectly vain."* It is how- 

 ever probable that the attempt will be made, but it is not yet made, 

 and if this caution is observed in a country like England, it cer- 

 tainly ought to be exercised in India. A Decimal system is pecu- 

 liarly adapted for account, but for the ordinary transactions of life, 

 which affect the mass of the people, the binary scale is the most 

 natural, and the most convenient in every country ; and in India, 

 the interests of the mass demand that it be preserved in the sub- 

 multiples at least, of the Metrical standards. 



Lastly, I will advert again to the fact that the Indian coinage is 

 not decimal ; the Rupee being subdivided into 16 Annas, and each 

 of these into 12 Pies. Unless the coinage is altered, — a measure 

 which I conclude the Government will not venture to attempt at 

 present, — the chief advantage of a decimal Metrical system is lost. 

 On this point I would refer to the evidence of Professor De Mor- 

 gan, the ablest and most zealous of the advocates for a Decimal 

 system in England. When examined before the Parliamentary 

 Committee of 1841, appointed to consider the subject of the " Res- 

 toration of the Standards," the Professor stated that in his opinion 

 " no decimal scale is practicable, that does not begin with the money P 

 (Page 60. H. 10.) 



The next point for consideration, is the best method of intro- 

 ducing a new and uniform Metrical system into such a country as 

 India, comprising as it does such an enormous extent of territory 

 and containing so many races of people speaking different lan- 

 guages, already possessing each their own established Weights and 

 Measures, and deeply prejudiced against innovation. 



It is the opinion of some who are acquainted with India, and 

 whose views are entitled to respect, that the introduction of a new 

 Metrical system should not be attempted by any compulsory mea- 

 sure, but be urged upon the people by encouragement, persuasion, 



* The Decimal system was established by law in France in 1795, but as regard- 

 ed "Weights and Measures it was found that its enforcement was so difficult, that 

 in 1816, the " systeme usuel" was enforced for Retail Trade. It was not till 

 July, 1837, that it was decided finally to adopt the decimal scale, and to enforce 

 penalties for the use of any other. The law came into force on the 1st of Janu- 

 ary, 1840. 



