252 Biographical Sketch of the late Astronomer Caldecott. 
known in Europe as it had for some time been in the Hast. 
He contributed several papers on meteorology generally, 
and on temperatures underground in particular, to the British 
Association, and was specially referred to in the address of 
the President as their “ distinguished associate Mr Calde- 
cott.”’ He had from 1841, when the general scheme of mag- 
netic and meteorological research was commenced all over 
the world, set himself with his usual zeal to the working out 
of the plan. It was not until 1845 that the Royal Society 
determined on the best mode of publishing the vast mass of 
matter that had up to this time been collected,—and the 
Rajah of Travancore, scarcely appreciating the importance of 
economy of time, and little apprehending the calamity that 
was at hand, was naturally anxious that a mass of facts that 
had been gathered together at his own expense, and under 
his own directions, should reach the world through bis own 
press. Mr Caldecott had now become deeply engaged im 
preparations for publication, when his health began to fail 
him, and in January 1849 came to Bombay, and for some 
time travelled about in the Concan, Deccan, and Ghauts, for 
change of air. He returned to Trevandrum and resumed his 
labours in March, and was, up to the time of his demise, 
deeply occupied in passing through the press the results of 
the researches of the preceding ten years. He had for some 
time been complaining, when on the 16th he was cut off, 
deeply lamented by all who knew him—by none more deeply 
than by the illustrious Prince whom he served, and the dis- 
tinguished resident, General Cullen, who so cordially aided 
and sympathised in his exertions. Though only a few frag- 
ments of the results of his labours have hitherto been laid 
before the world, no man was less given to mystery-making 
or concealment than Mr Caldecott, as to the progress of his 
pursuits, or more anxious to place all his MSS., finished or 
unfinished, at the disposal of any one desiring to use them. 
When applied to contribute to the collection of observations’ 
now being made by the Geographical Society, he at once 
offered copies of the unpublished reports for. the past) tem 
years ; and this being more than enough, he supplied.a,fulk 
series of observations from January 1848—the last fasciculus, 
despatched just before his demise,—coming down to the. pre- 
