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BOECKH, ON ANCIENT WEIGH

metretes weighs 90 Attic minæ or 1 Attic ta words, the Solonian talent is equal to a weight Attic metretes (xv. 2. p. 278).

Such is M. Boeckh's proof of the exact and nection between the Grecian weights and Gre And here again we see that the whole proof depends upon the admission, that the Ro of the Solonian mina-and that the ratio betwee ous, numerical, and essentially belonging to th not simply approximative. In such preliminary inquirer can acquiesce, as I have already endea until ampler evidence is produced than that whi in the Metrologie.

Nor is this the only defective point in the the Grecian cubic measures. It is a recognised f Solonian Attic scale the monetary talent, mina, are each of the respective denominations in scale: M. Boeckh has attempted to shew that t prevails between the cubic measures of the two s Solonian Attic metretes and medimnus are each næan. The evidence in support of this position feeble that I cannot explain to myself how it sho peared to him satisfactory. First (Metrol. xv. 1 cites a passage from Lucian, which proves only, most, that the Æginæan medimnus was larger tha sures of the same denomination-if indeed it prov to the point, of which reasonable doubt may be ent cian, Timon. c. 57). Next, he quotes a passage ou mologikon Magnum, v. Αἰγιναῖα, Ελέγετο δὲ τὰ μέγαλα, τοῦ νομίσματος· καὶ γὰρ τὸ Αἰγιναῖον τάλαντον πλεῖον ἠδύνατα a citation which not only does not assist M. Boeckh but operates powerfully to contradict it; and so se of this, that he permits himself to discredit his own annexing as a criticism of his own" Since the gi was more notorious than the ginæan measures, t limitation is added, anò Toù vouíoparos, &c." Acceptin ment of the witness, I must reject M. Boeckh's unfou negation of it. Thirdly, he produces in juxtaposition

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Attic talent: or in other
weight of water of the

ct and determinate connd Grecian cubic mea

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whole cogency of the the Roman pound is between them is rigor g to the two systems; eliminary admissions no y endeavoured to shew, that which is contained

in the book respecting cognised fact, that in the t, mina, and drachm tions in the Eginean Lew that the same raio the two scales; that the are each of the gi ៖ is position is really so how it should have aprol. xv. 1, p. 275), he oves only, at the very larger than other meaed it proves any thing may be entertained (Lu passage out of the Etyτὰ μέγαλα, Αἰγιναῖα, ἀπὸ Λεῖον ἠδύνατο του Αττικού M. Boeckh's conclusion and so sensible is he lit his own witness, by e the Eginæan money measures, the incorrect Accepting the state ckh's unfounded seri taposition two distinct

other in the same ratio as the two scales of we 5: 3-possibly the Spartan measure, even if it proportion, might be viewed roundly as about ha as then Attic, and by mistake it might then be thing less than half as much again, instead of than half as much again."-This is all the I produced.

Surely, so distinguished a critic as M. Boeck that the definite ratio of 5:3, between Ægin measures, can be admitted upon evidence such as not only amplified by so many gratuitous postu distorted from their true and plain meaning. 1 is, that he goes on to treat the ratio here spoken perfectly ascertained, and to deduce ulterior conseque

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But M. Boeckh farther contends, that independ testimony, there is "an internal probability that cubic measures stood to the Solonian Attic in the the two scales of weight, namely, as 5:3." Ad moment this very questionable position-that ide between the measures and weights of the two syst to be presumed, and not to be proved-it amounts negation of the ratio of 5:3, for which M. Boeck ing. When he says that "he has sufficiently prov næan talent as weight to have been in the ratio of Attic," he cannot have had present to his memory parts of his own book: for he has distinctly shewn He has shewn, and the inscription to which he ap the fact beyond a doubt, that Solon, while he altere of the talent as money, so as to establish a ratio of the Æginæan talent, left the talent as weight unchan use the words of our author himself, p. 115 (ix. 1); Solonian mina had disappeared in the money-weigh continued in use as commercial weight" (down to the least to which the inscription refers). A mina of 100 drachmæ of silver, came by the depreciation o weigh of an Æginæan mina: but a mina weight iron, or any other commodity, remained as it was b of an Æginæan mina, but 1⁄2 of it. Consequently, t

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es of weights, namely, as wen if it conformed to that about half as much again then be treated as somestead of something more all the positive evidence

M. Boeckh cannot think
Æginaan and Attic
such as this; passages
us postulates, but even
ning. The misfortune
spoken of as a matter
consequences from it.
independent of positive
ity that the Eginean
c in the same ratio as
3." Admitting for a
-that identity of ratio
two systems is a fact
amounts to a decisive
M. Boeckh is contend-
atly proved the Egi
ratio of 5:3 to the
memory the earlier
y

shewn the reverse

ch he appeals places
he altered the value
a ratio of 3:5 with

ht unchanged; or, to
5 (ix. 1); "the ante-
ney-weight, but still
wn to the period at
mina of money, or
eciation of Solon to
a weight of tin, or
it was before, not
quently, the appeal

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as a monetary measure, from 73 drachmæ to 100 the increase of the talent in the same proportion the remark made by M. Boeckh, p. 114, that th rect way of describing the real monetary change Solon, inasmuch, as the mina before that chan after it, was divided into 100 drachmæ, and no difference consisting in the diminished size and drachmæ. But still it is the mode of description drotion: and we may fairly suppose that the wor the measures," refer to nothing beyond the incre drachmæ, which every mina and every talent wer contain, as particularised in the succeeding sentenc

Moreover, it will appear that the strongest

"internal probability"-something very little short o tainty-conduct us to the conclusion that Solon lef sures generally undisturbed-the reverse of that w lays down. For we know positively that Solon with the weights: he created a double meaning mina and talent: he introduced the anomaly, t which had hitherto meant a known weight of sil any other merchandise,-received a special and when applied to silver coin. However men may, accustomed to this, the first moment of divorce b of weight and that of money, must present to the anomaly and repugnance: and there could be for Solon to permit it. All interference with cu and measures is well known to produce so mu discontent, that even the most popular and power experience prodigious difficulty in carrying it into express purpose of affording relief to debtors, So monetary standard: but the anomaly, which his introduced, is an evident proof of his reluctance general system of weights. And it affords a pr dent, that he would not choose such a moment the liquid and dry measures. For the fragme his poems, impressively attest his painful sense and dangers against which he had to contend, angry mutiny on the part of the degraded and e

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