BENCHMARKS continued
“When we were savage fierce and wild,
She came like a mother to her child.”
When people ask Benchmarker “What did the British ever do for us?” he usually replies with a list that goes somewhat as follows: - the railways, the potato, the Georgian squares, the postal service, the legal system, etc. etc. etc. and of course, the 3 Speed Sturmey Archer gear mechanism. If that isn't sufficient to conclude the argument then Benchmarker plays his trump card and replies “Why, the benchmark of course”. At this, any doubters can only walk away nodding their bowed heads in agreement.
And of course the British didn't just bequeath the benchmark to Ireland; they gave it to many countries around the world. Or at least versions of it that have the same function as the 3 legged version that we know and love so well here.
Benchmarker was reminded of this when a correspondent sent a photo of a benchmark that is located on the wall of the old post office in Evansville, Indiana, USA. Although much different in form to our benchmarks, its function is identical. And as extras, it displays the elevation, as well as giving a warning of the penalty for any bad folks who might be caught interfering with it. (Many thanks to that benchmarker colleague who sent it in.)
Now the question is - what do benchmarks look like in France and Germany?
Below: The Evansville, Indiana 'mark.
Above: A view of the Old Post Office building in Evansville.