MEMOIR OF MAJOR HAIG, R.A., F.R.S. 
to the “Proceedings” of this Institution were of no great importance, and as Secretary 
his life was not spared long enough for him to impress, as he would have done, 
his character upon them; but those who had most to do with difficult questions in 
artillery between 1860 and 1870, best know how often his clear head and scientific 
attainments helped them. 
Among other qualities significant of natural powers, he was a first-rate chess 
player—but so good-natured and unconscious that it was almost a pleasure to be 
beaten by him. The proximate cause of the lingering and fatal heart disease to 
which he fell a victim, was itself characteristic. He must needs enter for the 
“Veteran Pace” at the Garrison Games at Woolwich, in 1868, and the over¬ 
exertion developed aneurism, the true nature of which was not detected in time. 
Allusion has been made to his temporary employment on the Commission for 
laying out the boundary between British Columbia and the territory of the United 
States, under the treaty of June, 1846. Colonel J. S. Hawkins, R.E., the British 
Commissioner, has kindly furnished the following notice of this service :— 
Major Haig left England with the Commission in April, 1858, and returned 
home with it in July, 1862, when he was employed upon the astronomical com¬ 
putations connected with the operations and the preparation of the boundary maps, 
until appointed Assistant-Secretary to the Ordnance Select Committee, in 1864. 
He had joined the Commission as Assistant-Astronomer, but on Colonel Hawkins’ 
recommendation he was appointed Chief Astronomer, in which capacity he shewed 
a natural aptitude for the practical application of his very high mathematical 
talents, and for which appointment, in Colonel Hawkins’ opinion, “ no officer more 
competent could have been found throughout the servicesand as he also possessed 
health, strength, and energy, he was peculiarly well fitted for an expedition of the 
kind the Commission was engaged upon. When difficulties arose, he was always 
sanguine; and he impressed the same spirit upon the men under him, who were 
much attached to him, and willingly undertook whatever he required of them; 
while the energy he showed in everything which he entered into—whether 
shooting, fishing, canoeing, taking his turn with the axe, or the laborious duties 
which devolved upon him—the good temper and cheerfulness with which he bore 
hardships, and his unfailing high spirits and kindly nature, endeared him to'all 
the officers of both the British and American Commissions. 
Major Haig was appointed Secretary to the B.A. Institution on the 11 th Dec. 
1871, and performed his duties evidently under great bodily suffering (though he 
rarely complained) till the 6th June, 1872, when he was taken from the scene 
where it was hoped his eminent talents would have conferred great benefit on the 
Establishment which, by this brief memoir, records the loss it has sustained. 
