Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1893 — The Metrical System. [ARTICLE]

The Metrical System.

Though a simple enough thing when properly applied, the metrical system is exceedingly confusing when come upon suddenly in connection with matters and objects the dimensions of which havo hitherto been expressed in common fig-' ures. The difficulty of a quick mental conversion from the old system of our grandfathers to the 'metrical is apparent when a man states his height in metres and his weight in kilos. Harald Hagen, the professional champion skater of Europe, now in this country, on being asked his height and weight replied that he was 1.86 metres in height, and weighed, in racing condition, seventeen kilos. It is no easy matter to understand at a thought that he is about six feet two and a half inches high, and weighs about 160 pounds. The metric system has been without a strong public champion in this country ever since the death of Alexander H. Stephens. It is slow in taking hold. Cloth is still measured by the yard, lumber by feet and inches, liquids by pints, quarts and gallons, and weights by pounds nnd ounces, grains and drachms.--[N. Y. Times.