The Philosophical Magazine and Journal (Volume 54) (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1819. Excerpt: ... In this instance the hypothetical constitution coincides even more nearly with the facts than in the former case. _ It must, indeed, be acknowledged that the explanation rests on hypothesis only; but it is on an hypothesis which is perfectly consistent with a copious and increasing induction of facts, all tending to establish a limitation to the proportions in which bodies combine; while the opposite explanation is at variance with this general law of chemical union. XXXI. First Report of the Commissioners appointed to consider the Subjects of Weights and Measures. May it please Your Royal Highness, We, the Commissioners appointed by Your Royal Highness for the purpose of considering how far it may be practicable and advisable to establish within His Majesty's dominions a more uniform system of weights and measures, having obtained such information as we have been able to collect, beg leave to submit with all humility the first results of our deliberations. 1. We have procured, for the better consideration of the subject referred to us, an abstract of all the statutes relating to weights and measures which have been passed in the United Kingdoms from the earliest times; and we have obtained from the County Reports, lately published by the Board of Agriculture, and from various other sources, a large mass of information respecting the present state of the customary measures employed in different parts of the United Kingdom. We have also examined the standard measures of capacity kept in the Exchequer, and we have inquired into the state of the standards at length of the highest authority. Upon a deliberate consideration of the whole of the system at present existing, we are impressed with a sense of the great difficulty of effecting any radical changes, to so considerable an extent...