MAUDSLAY. 



83 



Maskelyne received his doctor's degree in the year 1777, he also 

 >l>tained tin- rare distinction of being made one of the eight foreign 

 associates of the French Academy of Science. In consequence of 

 an un.-iirressiul attempt made by Bouguer to measure the local 

 att nil -i ion of a mountain in South America, Maskelyne determined, 

 in 1772, to ascertain that of Sehehallien in Scotland; and this latter 

 undertaking, together with the determination of the lunar orbit 

 from observation, and its application to navigation, may be con- 



I as his must important contributions to the cause of science. 

 In character Dr. Maskelyne was modest and somewhat timid in 

 eeiviiiLr the visits of strangers, but his ordinary conversation was 

 leerful and often playful, with a fondness for point and classical 

 llnsion. He inherited a good paternal property, and obtained 

 uisicleraMe preferment from his college; somewhat late in life he 

 iarrie.1 tin- sister and co-heiress of Lady Booth of Northampton- 

 hin- ; his sister was the wife of Robert Lord Olive, and the mother 

 >f the Karl of Powis. Dr. Maskelyne died on the ninth of February, 

 1811, in his severity-ninth year, leaving a widow and an only 

 "au.c-hter. Notice sur la vie et las travaux dt M. Maskelyne par 

 ), /////,/i/v. London, 1813. Memoir by Dr. T. Young, Encyclopcedia 

 ritcmmca. 



cel( 



6 



HENRY MATJDSLAY. 



Born Aug. 22, 1771. Died Feb. 14, 1831. 



Tliis distinguished mechanical engineer was descended from an 

 eminent Lancashire family, who trace back their origin as far as 

 the year IL'OO. His father in early life enlisted in the Royal 

 Artillery at Norwich, and afterwards became store-keeper at the 

 i Dockyard of Woolwich, where his son Henry was born and 

 his boyhood, acquiring in the dockyard the first rudiments of 

 at mechanical knowledge which has since made him so justly 

 lel.rated. 



After being employed for two years as a ' powder monkey' in the 

 ickyanl, that is, in making and filling cartridges, Maudslay was 

 .t the age of fourteen, in the carpenter's shop. He however 

 itinitely preferred the blacksmith's shop, availing himself of every 

 opportunity to escape from his proper place, and steal off to the 

 smithy. His propensity was in fact so strong that it was thought 

 ;er to yield to it, and he was accordingly removed there in his 

 enth year. He now made rapid progress, and soon became so 

 pert a smith and metal-worker as to attract considerable notice. 



