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Aiit. \i\.^Ohservat‘ions on the Final Report of the Cormuis^ 
sionerB c/f Weights and Measures^ hy the Reverend George 
Bkene Keith, D. D. In a Letter to Dr Brewster. 
Sill, Manse of Keith-halh November 8. 1821. 
In the last number of the Philosophical Journal, you gave the 
substance of the third or final Report of the Gomniissioners of 
weights and measures^ viz. Sir George Clerk, Baft., Davies Gil- 
bert, Esq. Mi P., Dr Wollaston, Dr Young, and Captain 
Kater. 
As I have, for above thirty years, paid particular attentioh to 
the equalization of the weights and measures of Great Britain, 
I beg leave to submit the following observations on this report, 
with the greatest respect for the gentlemen oh whbm the com- 
mission was devolved, and of whose abilities and character there 
is but one, and that a very high opinion in the kingdom. I 
hate not the honour of being known to any of these gentlemen, 
except to Davies Gilbert, Esq. who kihdly shewed me a copy of 
the whole report in May last, when I was attending a Committee 
of the House df Commons, of whioh he was Chairman ; and I 
equally respect his talents, patriotism, aUd his integrity* 
I have great pleasure in making two general remarks oil 
their Report* 
1. The Commissioners have, with eqiial propriety and accu- 
racy, fixed the proportion between the English yard made by Mr 
Bird, and the length of the pendulum which vibrates seconds at 
London in a Vacuum and at the level of the sea. Captain Kater 
has great merit in determining this length, which is found to be 
inches. 
2. As English Tfoy weight is the Only legal standard both 
of weights and of coins, in this kingdom, the Commissioners 
acted very properly in preserving it, as the standard to which all 
other Weights are to be compared ; and they judged right in fix- 
ing a definite proportion between the Avoirdupois pound, now 
generally used, (which ought by law to contain 16 Troy ounces, 
or 7680 grains, but now contains only 7000 Troy grains), and 
