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By T. S. MASKELYNE. 



•EVIL MASKELYNE, afterwards Astronomer Eoyal of 



at Kensington Gore, where his father, Edmund Maskelyne, resided. 

 But, though the place of his birth was thus beyond the borders of 

 our county, there can be no more question that his name is properly 

 included in any catalogue of " Wiltshire Worthies " than his claim 

 can be disputed to eminent rank in the field of pure science, and to 

 the very foremost rank among those benefactors of their country 

 who have applied the teachings of science directly to the public 

 good. His observations at St. Helena and on Sehehallien have 

 their place in the history of science, but it is as the projector of the 

 " Nautical Almanac " that his name will live longest in the memory 

 of a land of mariners. 



The family of which in his latter days he became the representa- 

 tive had belonged for more than three hundred years to Purton, in 

 this county, and its vicinity. His lineal ancestor, Eobert Maskelyne, 

 from whom his descent is perfectly well traced by evidences, " held 

 land freely " within the manor of Lydiard Millicent, Co. Wilts, as 

 early as 1435. 



In the year 1560 one " Edmoncl Maslin," Robert's descendant in 

 the fifth degree, was christened at Purton, the earliest extant entry 

 in the baptismal register there. He was M.P. for Cricklade in 

 1625, 1 and is described sometimes as "of the Inner Temple," 

 sometimes as " of Cliffords Inn, gentleman." His wife was a 

 granddaughter of Mary Nevill, sister of Lord Abergavenny, 

 and, like his neighbours at Oaksey, the Pooles, and with equal 



England, was born 5th October (15th October, N.S.), 1732, 



1 The returns for Cricklade, 1625, are missing, but Brown Willis states that 

 EdmuudMaskelyne was M.P. for Cricklade in that year. 



