Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 August 1896 — Old Standard of the Yard. [ARTICLE]

Old Standard of the Yard.

Tlie yard is the British and American standard of length. Down to 1824 the original standard of Britain (and from which ours was copied) was a rod, which had been deposited in the court of exchequer, Loudon, in the- time of Queen Elizabeth. In those days all measures Intended for general use were taken to the court of exchequer to be examined by the proper officer. That official took thC proposed measure and placed it parallel with the standard, and if found correct placed certain marks of identification upon it. By an set of Parliament in 1824 the old Elizabethan standard was superseded by which had beep constructed under the directions of the Royal Society sixty-four yeans previous. This act provided that “the straight line or usance between the centers of two points in the gold studs in the brass rod now in the custody of the clerk of the House of Commons shall he genuine standard of the yard measure in Great Britain/’ The. act further provided (fiat the measurements of the rod must be made when, the temperature of the brass rod was at 62 degrees Fahrenheit. ! That standard was destroyed by fire in 1834 and. the commission appointed ;o replace it made'the yard measure now in use; The new standard was deposited in the House of Parliament in 1835 and authenticated copies of it are in the possession of our Govemmeqt officials at Washington.