Now as 144 to 175, so are 64 pounds to 77.7 pounds; but
77.7 pounds is known to be the weight of (5.) 2150.4 cubic inches of
pure water, which is exactly the content of the Winchester bushel, as
declared by the statute 13, 14, Will. 3. That statute determined the
bushel to be a cylinder of 18 1/2 inches diameter, and 8 inches
depth. Such a cylinder, as nearly as it can be cubed, and expressed
in figures, contains 2150.425 cubic inches; a result which reflects
authority on the declaration of Parliament, and induces a favorable
opinion of the care with which they investigated the contents of the
ancient bushel, and also a belief that there might exist evidence of
it at that day, unknown to the committees of 1758 and 1759.
We find, then, in a continued proportion 64 to 77.7 as 224 to
272, and as 144 to 175, that is to say, the specific weight of a
measure of wheat, to that of the same measure of water, as the cubic
contents of the wet gallon, to those of the dry; and as the weight of
a pound troy to that of a pound avoirdupois.
This seems to have been so combined as to render it indifferent
whether a thing were dealt out by weight or measure; for the dry
gallon of wheat, and the liquid one of wine, were of the same weight;
and the avoirdupois pound of wheat, and the troy pound of wine, were
of the same measure.
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