Though we have described the method of adjusting the balance, these adjustments, as we have before remarked, may be dispensed with. Indeed, in all delicate scientific operations, it is advisable never to rely upon adjustments, which, after every care has been employed in effecting them, can only be considered as approximations to the truth. We shall, therefore, now describe the best method of ascertaining the weight of a body, and which does not depend on the accuracy of these adjustments. Having levelled the case which contains the balance, and thrown the beam out of action, place a weight in each scale-pan nearly equal to the weight which is to be determined. Lower the beam very gently till it is in action, and by means of the adjustment for raising or lowering the centre of gravity, cause the beam to vibrate very slowly. Remove these weights, and place the substance, the weight of which is to be determined in one of the scale-pans; carefully counterpoise it by means of any convenient substances put into the other scale-pan, and observe the division at which the index stands; remove the body, the weight of which is to be ascertained, and substitute standard weights for it so as to bring the index to the same division as before. These weights will be equal to the weight of the body. If it be required to compare two weights together which are intended to be equal, and to ascertain their difference, if any, the method of proceeding will be nearly the same. The standard weight is to be carefully counterpoised, and the division at which the index stands, noted. And now it will be convenient to add in either of the scales some small weight, such as one or two hundredths of a grain, and mark the number of divisions passed over in consequence by the index, by which the value of one division of the scale will be known. This should be repeated a few times, and the mean taken for greater certainty. Having noted the division at which the index rests, the standard weight is to be removed, and the weight which is to be compared with it substituted for it. The index is then again to be noted, and the difference between this and the former indication will give the difference between the weights in parts of a grain. If the balance is adjusted so as to be very sensible, it will be long before it comes to a state of rest. It may, therefore, sometimes be advisable to take the mean of the extent of the vibrations of the index as the point where it would rest, and this may be repeated several times for greater accuracy. It must, however, be remembered, that it is not safe to do this when the extent of the vibrations is beyond one or two divisions of the scale; but with this limitation it is, perhaps, as good a method as can be pursued.