An inch is the smallest lineal measure to which a name is given, but subdivisions are used for many purposes. Among me chanics, the inch is commonly divided into eighths. By the officers of the revenue, and by scientific persons, it is divided into tenths, hundredths, &c. Particular Measures of Length. A Nail Quarter 4 Nails Yard = 4 Quarters Ell = 5 Quarters used for measuring cloth of all kinds. used for height of horses. used in measuring depths. used in Land Measure to facilitate computation of the content, 10 square chains being equal to an acre. 2. MEASURE OF SURFACE. 2 Weys 12 Sacks 24 gr. DIVISION II. TROY WEIGHT. 24 Grains 1 Pennyweight 20 Pennywts. = 1 Ounce = 480 12 Ounces =1 Pound =5760 These are the denominations of Troy Weight when used for weighing gold, silver, and precious stones (except diamonds). But Troy Weight is also used by Apothecaries in compounding medicines, and by them the ounce is divided into 8 drams, and the dram into 3 scruples, so that the scruple is equal to 20 grains. For scientific purposes the grain only is used; and sets of weights are constructed in decimal progression, from 10,000 grains downwards to of a grain. The carat, used for weighing diamonds, is 3 grains. The term, however, when used to express the fineness of gold, has a relative meaning only. Every mass of alloyed gold is supposed to be divided into 24 equal parts; thus the standard for coin is 22 carats fine, that is, it consists of 22 parts of pure gold, and 2 parts of alloy. 5. ANGULAR MEASURE; OR, DIVISIONS OF THE CIRCLE. 60 Seconds = 1 Minute cub. ins., nearly. 60 Seconds 60 Minutes = 69 2774 554 2218 24 Hours = 1 Minute 2 Gall. = 1 Peck -8 Gall. 1 Bushel 8 Bush. 1 Quarter = 5 Qrs. = 1 Load = 51 The four last denominations are used for dry goods only. For liquids several denominations have been heretofore adopted, viz. -For Beer, the Firkin of 9 Gallons, the Kilderkin of 18, the Barrel of 36, the Hogshead of 54, and the Butt of 108 Galls. Flour is sold nominally by measure, but actually by weight, reckoned at 7 lbs. avoirdupois to a gallon, 4. MEASURE OF WEIGHT. DIVISION I.-AVOIRDUPOIS WEIGHT. 27 Grains 1 Dram 1 Hour 1 Day 1 Lunar Month 1 Calendar Month 1 Year = 1 Common Year 1 Leap Year In 400 Years, 97 are leap years, and 303 common. WEIGHT OF ENGLISH COINS. Gold. Sovereign. Half Sovereign Double Sovereign Crown Half Crown 27 gr Florin 16 Drams 1 Ounce 16 Ounces =1 Pound (lb.) 28 Pounds = 1 Quarter (qr.) dwt. gr. Silver Sixpence Fourpence LONDON: FRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, Companion to the Almanac ; OR, YEAR-BOOK or GENERAL INFORMATION FOR 1859. I. GENERAL INFORMATION ON SUBJECTS OF MATHEMATICS, NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, NATURAL HISTORY, CHRONOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY, FINE ARTS, PUBLIC ECONOMY, &c. II. THE LEGISLATION, STATISTICS, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, AND CHRONICLE OF 1858. LONDON: KNIGHT AND CO., 90 FLEET STREET. PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE; OR, FOUR SHILLINGS BOUND WITH THE BRITISH ALMANAC. CONTENTS. PART I. GENERAL INFORMATON ON SUBJECTS OF MATHEMATICS, NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, NATURAL HISTORY, CHRONOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY, FINE ARTS, PUBLIC ECONOMY, &c. I. History of Comets. By JOHN RUSSELL HIND, F.R.A.S. V. The Mutiny of the Native Army in British India; and Dispute between Great Britain and China Page 5 28 40 70 93 VI. The Thames and the London Drainage 111 VII. Fluctuations of the Funds and Rate of Interest at the 130 VIII. Average Prices of Corn 130 PART II. THE LEGISLATION, STATISTICS, ARCHITECTURE, AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, AND CHRONICLE OF 1857-8. IX. Abstracts of Important Public Acts passed in the Second Session of the Seventeenth Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland : Joint Stock Companies Act Inclosure of Lands. Copyright of Designs Act, 1858. |