France, and a set of French standards was presented to the United States in return.
It is a matter of surprise that while the people of the United States have long felt and appreciated the benefits of their decimal monetary system, the old English system of weights and measures has not yet been abolished by the Legislature. Its inconveniences are much complained of and custom has tried to remedy its evident defects to a great extent by adopting the plan of reckoning by 100 lbs. (instead of the cwt. or 112 lbs.) and by 1000 lbs.
Monetary accounts are kept, and calculations are made with the greatest facility in dollars and cents, the dollar (4s. 2d.) being divided into 100 cents (a cent ½d.). Convenient coins called "dimes" are in circulation, 10 cents being equal to one dime, and 10 dimes making a dollar. Quarter dollar and half dollar pieces are also commonly used; there appears to be no reason why a decimal system would not afford equal advantages, if applied, as it doubtless will be eventually, to the scales of weights and measures.
The Coast Survey Office has custody of two instruments used in measuring by means of end measurements. A base line 7 miles long, was measured on an island near Charleston in about
