264 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
The value of complicated units of weights of all the new 
denominations, viz. at pounds, florins, stivers, and even far- 
things per demi-ton, can immediately be obtained by simple 
multiplication. The value expresses itself, and by multiplying 
it by 100 and dividing by 4, the equivalent francs are known. 
The extraordinary simplicity of the calculation is the greatest 
possible recommendation for such a choice of units of money 
and weight. 
No matter what denomination be employed, English weights 
would be at once transformed into kilogrammes by multiplying 
them by the reciprocal of the kilogrammes — 
(1 -*-2*20462124 = ) *453592662, 
or as many places of decimals as will give the required minute- 
ness of accuracy. 
Francs can readily be converted into the new decimal coin- 
age by multiplying it by 4 and dividing by 100 — 
7*75 francs. 27*75 francs. 
4 4 
100) 111*00 
3 florins 1 stiver. 1*100 £11 florin 1 stiver. 
39*55 francs. 
4 
1*5820 £1 5 florins 8 stivers and 2 farthings. 
Conversely, pounds, florins and stivers will appear as francs 
and centimes simply by dividing by 4, after multiplying by 100. 
The stiver, being the quarter of a franc, will tend greatly to 
familiarise the ol n roWol with the decimal scale ; whilst the 
temporary retention of the shilling, and sixpence, and three- 
penny piece, will still afford that ready subdivision so useful 
to rapid marketing. 
100)31*00 
•31 
DECIMAL MEASURES. 
The regulation of measures of length and capacity is an in- 
vidious task, as involving so many deeply-rooted associations. 
Thus : 6,07 5£ feet are a nautical mile. 
A change here will array all the sailors against us. And the 
log at sea, of 52 feet and a fraction, run out by the half-minute 
glass, ascertains the speed of the good ship at so many knots 
per hour. It is as vain at present to tamper with the sailor’s 
log as with his grog. 
There are at least seven or eight different measures of the 
wine pipe ; seven kinds of stones ; six kinds of barrels by 
measure, and many by weight. The aunes of hock, hogsheads 
of claret, and madeira, and pipe of port, are equally obnoxious 
