new standards of weights and measures. 9 
the Commissioners of Weights and Measures would afford 
their assistance in directing the executive measures necessary 
for the accomplishment of its objects. In compliance with 
this request, I undertook to superintend the construction, and 
to adjust the principal standards to be deposited at the 
Exchequer, Guildhall, Dublin, and Edinburgh. 
Mr. Troughton, the first of our English artists having, 
in consequence of his advanced age, declined undertaking to 
make the standards, I directed Mr. Dollond to prepare those 
of linear measure ; and employed Mr. Bate, an artist who, 
as hydrometer maker for Revenue purposes, had been accus- 
tomed to nice operations in weighing, to construct those of 
weight and measure. 
Brass being peculiarly liable to decomposition in the 
atmosphere of London, I directed Mr. Bate to make some 
experiments, to ascertain the proportions of tin and copper 
which might produce a metal equal in hardness, and which 
might be worked with the same facility as hammered brass ; 
and after some trials it was found that a mixture of 576 parts 
of copper, 59 of tin, and 48 of brass, afforded a beautiful 
metal, which possessed the qualities I sought. 
In order to avoid any innovation but such as might be ab- 
solutely necessary, it was deemed expedient in constructing 
the bushel, to adhere as nearly as possible to the form of that 
known by the appellation of the Winchester bushel. It was 
therefore directed to be made cylindrical, the interior dia- 
meter being about i8§- inches, the exterior 19% inches, and the 
depth about 8^ inches, and intended to contain eighty pounds 
avoirdupois of distilled water. In order to give the bushel 
MDCCCXXVI. C 
