xlviii Procce'lings of the South African Philosoiohical Society. 



circle (a facsimile of that at Greenwich) arrived, and was duly 

 mounted with the assistance only of local masons and labourers, 

 and observations were commenced with it at the end of the same 

 year. 



In 1859 Maclear paid a visit of a few months to England, and 

 keenly enjoyed the seeing of old friends and making the personal 

 acquaintance of many men who previously were only known to him 

 by repute or correspondence. He returned to the Cape in 1860, and 

 in June of the same year received the honour of knighthood — a well- 

 merited recognition of his labours in science. 



After 1860 Maclear' s attention was chiefly directed to the reduc- 

 tion of his previous observations. He reduced the valuable series 

 made in 1835-40, which has since been revised and published by his 

 successor, Mr. E. J. Stone, as the " Cape Catalogue for 1840." Sir 

 Thomas also partly reduced the observations made with the new 

 transit circle in the years 1856-60, a work also completed and 

 pubhshed by Mr. Stone, under the title " Cape Catalogue for 1860." 

 In addition to all this, he made a long series of observations of the 

 moon and stars, for the purpose of determining the longitude of the 

 Observatory and the parallax of the moon. 



Besides these varied astronomical labours, Maclear gave much 

 attention to meteorological, magnetic, and tidal observations. He 

 was successful in exciting an interest throughout the Colony in 

 meteorological observation, and was always ready to lend a helping 

 hand to any student of science. He threw himself with heart and 

 soul into all measures by which he could promote the well-being of 

 the Colony. He was a trustee of the South African Museum and 

 a member of the Examining Board. He originated the Meteoro- 

 logical Commission, and continued during his life a member of it. 

 Eor many years he assisted in the establishment of lighthouses, and 

 was the originator of and took part in a Commission on Standards 

 of Weights and Measures. -He felt the keenest interest in sanitary 

 matters, and in cases of emergency has lent his medical assistance. 

 Maclear was the intimate friend of Livingstone. Their acquaintance 

 commenced in 1850, when Livingstone came to him for assistance 

 as to the best means of ascertaining his position when on his travels. 

 Livingstone's quickness and aptitude for the work won Maclear' s 

 heart ; the men were kindred spirits, and their friendship lasted to 

 the end. The reduction of Livingstone's observations was performed 

 at the Observatory, and formed a serious item in the work under- 

 taken, but the labour was the labour of love. 



The year 1861 was shadowed by a sad bereavement — the death 

 of Maclear's beloved wife. Maclear occupied himself still more 



