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Biographical Sketch of the late Astronomer Caldecott. 251 
on the magnetic dip, when inability to procure the proper 
instruments, either at Madras or from England, postponed the 
execution of the scheme. At length, a dipping-circle, and 
fine set of dipping-needles, the property of the Bombay Geo- 
graphical Society,* and which had been placed at the disposal 
of Captain Moresby, were lent by that officer to Mr Taylor. 
While the Madras astronomer took the eastern portion of 
the Peninsula to himself, the examination of the western di- 
vision was assigned to Mr Caldecott. The philosophers met 
in July at Tranquebar, and for a time laboured together. 
Subsequently, each pursued the enquiries allotted him, with 
that unbounded zeal and consummate ability for which both 
were so conspicuously distinguished. The Madras service 
at this time was replete to overflowing with the spirit of re- 
search, and abounded beyond example with men of activity, 
talent, and accomplishments. The Literary Transactions of 
the day wellnigh eclipse the Bengal Journal itself, then under 
charge of the illustrious James Prinsep, one of the very fore- 
most amongst the intellects of India. Meteorological re- 
search had, in 1837, just begun to be pursued with that me- 
thod and system, and in the spirit of co-operation and concert, 
from the want of which it had hitherto so sadly suffered. Dr 
Turnbull Christie had some years before drawn up an excel- 
lent scheme of research, which was published after his death 
in the Journal for 1835. The following year the admirable 
system of Sir John Herschel was promulgated, under the 
name of a report of the South African Association ; and the 
astronomers at Madras and Trevandrum resolved to carry 
out the scheme of connected enquiry by means of hourly ob- 
servations at least one day every month to its fullest extent. 
Mr Caldecott had now taken a conspicuous place amongst the 
scientific men of India, and his name speedily became as well 
* The Geographical Society had at this time provided itself with a large 
supply of instruments for the purpose of promoting physical research. When 
their turn came to ask from a large establishment the loan of magnetic instru- 
ments known to be employed, and to have been got on purpose for general ser- 
vice, they were told none such existed—at the very time that an account of their 
use in itinerant investigations was published in their reports! A sad contrast 
certainly, 
