Radiating Power of different Bodies.

Water100Blackened tin100
Lamp black100Clean tin12
Writing paper100Scraped tin16
Glass90Ice85
Indian ink88Mercury20
Bright lead19Polished iron15
Silver12Copper12

The Stone Weight.

The term “stone” is often used to indicate weight, but some confusion is apt to arise if the nature of the object or substance to be weighed is not clearly indicated; thus, in weighing men according to what is known as “horseman’s weight,” 14lb. avoirdupois are made use of; in weighing butcher’s meat, 8lb.; iron, 14lb.; glass, 5lb.; hemp, 32lb.; cheese, 16lb.

The Qualities of Gold.

Very few terms are more loosely used than that of “gold,” and it is therefore necessary that the traveller should make himself fully acquainted with the nature of the alloy made use of under the name of gold in the various countries he may chance to visit. Let him not suppose that, because the glittering chain or ring displayed in an English jeweller’s window is marked in conspicuous letters “Warranted fine gold,” the ornament is as a matter of course composed of pure gold, or he will buy experience dearly. Fine gold means nothing further than that an alloy of some kind containing some gold is for sale. It is well, therefore, to insist on the exact quality of the article (in carats—18 carats, 22 carats, or whatever it is represented to be) being stated on the vendor’s bill of charge.

The nature of gold alloy differs materially in various countries. We have, therefore, thought it well to provide the reader with the following useful tables compiled by Mr. E. W. Streeter and used in his “Hints to Purchasers of Jewellery.”

Qualities of Gold manufactured in different Parts of the World.

£ s. d. £ s. d.
England From 1 carat, worth 03 6 to 22 carats, worth 3 17 10½
France 18 carat, 33 only common by special permission.
Denmark 18 ” ” 33
Baden 14 ” ” 29
Germany (all States) 12 ” ” 22 to 15 carats, worth 2 13 1
Russia 15 ” ” 213 1 to 22 ” ” 3 17 10½
Austria 10 ” ” 115 to 18 ” ” 3 3
Italy 12 ” ” 22 to 22 ” ” 3 17 10½
Holland 4 ” ” 014 2 to 22 ” ” 3 17 10½
Africa 23 ” ” 43
India 4 ” ” 317 10½to 23½ ” ” 4 3
Rome All 18 ” ” 33
U. States of America From 1 ” ” 03 6 to 18 ” ” 3 3
Norway and Sweden All 18 ” ” 33
Belgium From 18 ” ” 33 to 22 ” ” 3 17 10½
Spain All 18 ” ” 33
Switzerland All 18 ” ” 33
Geneva From 14 carat, 29 Watch cases only.
China From 16 ” ” 216 to 23¾ carats, worth 4 4 0
Japan From 18 ” ” 33 to 23¾ ” ” 4 4 0
Brazil All 18 carat, 33
Hamburg From 13½ ” ” 211 to 18 ” ” 3 3
Turkey 18 carat, 33
Greece 10 ” ” 115 to 16 ” ” 2 16
Persia 3 ” ” 010 to 23½ ” ” 4 3
Egypt 18 carat, 33
Rio Janeiro Imported from 1 carat 03 6 to 22 ” ” 3 17 10½
Chili ” ” 03 6 to 22 ” ” 3 17 10½
Peru ” ” 03 6 to 22 ” ” 3 17 10½
Siam Nearly pure, fine work.
Australia Same as England, except that made up from the diggings.
Mexico Principal manufacture fine.
Any quality is allowed to be imported into these countries.