These are the denominations of Troy Weight when used for weighing gold, silver, and precious stones (except diamonds). But Troy Weight is also used by Apothecaries in compounding medicines, and by them the ounce is divided into 8 drams, and the dram into 3 scruples, so that the scruple is equal to 20 grains.

For scientific purposes the grain only is used; and sets of weights are constructed in decimal progression, from 10,000 grains downwards to of a grain.

The carat, used for weighing diamonds, is 3 grains. The term, however, when used to express the fineness of gold, has a relative meaning only. Every mass of alloyed gold is supposed to be divided into 24 equal parts; thus the standard for coin is 22 carats fine, that is, it consists of 22 parts of pure gold, and 2 parts of alloy. 5. ANGULAR MEASURE;

OR, DIVISIONS OF THE CIRCLE.

= 1 Quadrant

360 Degrees, or 12 Signs 1 Circumference.

MEMORANDA FOR NEXT YEAR, 1857.

1 19 7-11

1. 5 1-11

N.B. As towards the end of each year, or even earlier, information concerning the ensuing year is often wanted, we add to the current Almanac a synopsis of that which is to succeed it, as follows:

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

THE TWENTY-NINTH YEAR.

Companion to the Almanac;

OR,

YEAR-BOOK

OF

GENERAL INFORMATION

FOR

1856.

I.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON SUBJECTS OF MATHEMATICS, NATURAL HISTORY, AND PHILOSOPHY, CHRONOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY, STATISTICS, &c.

II.

THE LEGISLATION, STATISTICS,

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, AND CHRONICLE OF 1855.

LONDON:

KNIGHT AND CO, 90, FLEET STREET.

PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE; OR, FOUR SHILLINGS BOUND WITH THE BRITISH ALMANAC.

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON SUBJECTS OF MATHEMATICS, NATURAL PHILO-

SOPHY AND HISTORY, CHRONOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY, STATISTICS, &c.

I. Notes on the History of the English Coinage

II. Schemes for obtaining Agricultural Statistics

III. Shipwrecks and Life-Boats

IV. Reorganization of the Civil Service.

V. Fluctuations of the Funds

VI. Average Prices of Corn

Page

1

21

42

54

80

80

PART II.

THE LEGISLATION, STATISTICS, ARCHITECTURE AND PUBLIC IMPROVE-

MENTS, AND CHRONICLE OF 1854-5.

VII. Abstracts of Important Public Acts passed in the Second Session of

the Sixteenth Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland.

IX. Chronicle of the Session of Parliament, 1854-5

X. Private Bills of the Session of Parliament, 1854-5

XI. Public Petitions, 1854 5

XII. Architecture and Public Improvements :-

1. General Progress-Art and Buildings

2. Sanitary Improvements-Sewerage-Water Supply-

Cemeteries, &c.

3. Street Architecture and Improvements-Parks, &c.

4. Churches and Chapels

XIII. Chronicle of Occurrences, 1854-5

XIV. Necrological Table of Literary Men, Artists, &c.

XV. The Campaign

190

192

199

204