Report from the Select Committee on Weights and Measures; Together with the Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence, Appendix, and Index. Communicated from the Commons to the Lords. Ordered to Be Printed 4th August 1862 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862 Excerpt: ...means of diagrams?--Very easily. 1826. Can you tell us what effect any of these instructions of yours produced on the minds of the child's parents?--I found that curiosity was excited, that the children reported to their parents what they were doing, and they were very much interested when they were told their children were learning sums on the French system. 1827. Have you ever delivered any lectures on the metrical system?--I have frequently spoken of it at the Polytechnic Institution, the Mechanics' and Literary Institutions, and other places. 1828. Did you find that persons who attended took much or little interest iu your observations on the metrical system?--1 found the announcement of the subject of the lecture would Srobably occasion a thin audience, but after its elivery I was always surrounded by persons who came forward to propose questions, and seek further information, and who appeared very much interested. At the Polytechnic especially, I was frequently occupied for some time after the delivery of a lecture, and I had to spend a quarter of an hour or 20 minutes in going into details with regard to decimal calculations. 1829. Generally speaking, there is a prejudice against decimals in this country, is there not?--There is a prejudice against the very name of decimals, because in the early education of the people of England they were not adopted. 1830. Colonel Sykes. You think an early prejudice exists 1--Yes, an early prejudice is implanted in the minds of the people against them. 1831. Chairman. And that is overcome by a more familiar acquaintance with them?--I think it would be overcome. 1832. Have you had an opportunity of noticing whether decimal calculations are being gradually introduced into commercial transactions?--Yes, latterly my en...