82 
Biographical Sketch , fyc. 
[March 
late Mr.Voysey,) were absent at the time, having been detached for the prosecution of 
a subordinate operation, which was intended to connect the presidency of Bombay with 
the general series of triangles. But he had the attendance of two of the sub-assis- 
tants of the survey, Mr. De Penning and Mr. Rossenrode, whose grateful attentions 
must no doubt have soothed his last hours. Thus died, at an obscure village in 
central India, Lieutenant-Colonel William Lambton, H. M. 33d Regiment, aged 
70 4 . It was suggested we believe to the Government to erect some small, but 
lasting monument to mark the spot where his remains had been deposited. Whe- 
ther the suggestion was ever attended to, we know not. His best and most dura- 
ble monument will be the history of the great work in which were spent so many 
years of his life. 
Colonel Lambton’s stature was above the common size ; his complexion was fair, 
and his hair tending to red. His face wanted expression, and the accident men- 
tioned p. 74. gave a cast to his eve which rendered his looks rather vulgar and 
unmeaning. He was never married, though his friends appear to think that his 
wishes some times pointed that way latterly. 
To a considerable portion of general knowledge and a respectable share of eru- 
dition, he united much simplicity of character ; so much, so, as to give many people 
a very inadequate idea of liis powers of mind and knowledge of the world. Some 
peculiarity of manner too adhered to him, from having lived so long out of the 
world, and he is said in consequence to have appeared to disadvantage in mixed 
companies, and particularly in the company of women. But to those who could, 
through this singularity, discern merit, his conversation was found alike entertaining' 
and instructive. He had strong prejudices, yet no man was more quick in discovering 
talent or ready in acknowledging it ; and of this a remarkable instance occurred in 
the case of a gentleman, who having been appointed his assistant without his 
being consulted, was regarded with no very favorable feelings. But the gentleman 
having joined the survey, Colonel Lambton was not long in remarking his talent. 
He acknowledged to a friend 14 that he had been completely mistaken in his prepos- 
sessions ; that he was a genius of no common stamp, and that he would certainly 
shine one day conspicuous amongst the scientific men of his time.” A prediction 
that was fulfilled to the letter, the individual in question having become a member of 
almost every Academy in Europe ; been employed on every business of national re- 
search ; "appointed a member of the Board of Longitude; and finally elected vicepresi- 
dent of the Royal Society. 
He was of a quick and hasty temper apparently, yet in reality most kind and 
considerate. His servants were affectionately attached to him, and grew old in his 
service ; and of his public followers he counted (as he wrote to a friend in 1822) 
three generations in his camp. The young men attached to the survey as sub-assist- 
ants he treated with uniform kindness and with much consideration ; and in return 
they looked up to him as to a father. No stronger testimony could be borne to his 
excellence, than the unaffected sorrow of these people, when his demise took place. 
They felt that in the master they had lost a friend. * 
He read the Latin, French, and Italian authors, at least those who treated on sci- 
ence, with the same fluency as those of his own language. He was not however 
a good classical scholar, nor had he much taste for the fine arts or even’ for litera’ 
ture. His official style was neither eloquent nor yet lucid. He expressed himself 
with plainness, but not always with clearness a fault we think we have observed 
in other mathematicians. His private correspondence bore marks of haste and 
negligence, and he seldom attempted to correct a letter. He was, we are told a first 
rate mathematician, and as such was in correspondence with many very cele- 
brated philosophers in Europe, amongst whom we may mention Messrs. De Lam- 
bre and La Place in France ; Dr. Young, Captain Rater and Mr. F. Fallowes in 
o E f t: K„ y momber of ,he “ instkute > 
* According to the date of his birth established by the story, p. 74 A notice oflu» 
death, given in the Government Gazette of that time, makes him 75 
