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Maclear, Thomas in correspondent 
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1840-1849 in date 
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From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[19 February 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.124
Summary:

Work will begin on obelisk at Feldhausen. Occultation of Gamma1 and Gamma2 Virginis observed. Triangulation survey will take TM away from Royal Observatory for extended time. Slave ship carries small pox and causes outbreak. Parallax observations show brightest stars, not nearest.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[25 March 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.126
Summary:

Acknowledges letter requesting land for the Magnetic Observatory. Has a portion of land available in the S.E. corner of the grounds, but it will be necessary to obtain the permission of Rear Admiral George Elliot.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[29 March 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.127
Summary:

Erebus and Terror have arrived in Simon's Bay. Discussed Magnetic Observatory with J. C. Ross, Captain Croper, and F. E. Wilmot, and wrote government requesting funds. Obelisk has not yet reached the Cape. Small pox rages in Cape Town.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[15 November 1840]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.128
Summary:

Arrived in Zwartland in September. Surveyed grounds; measured baselines. Will be absent from observatory until Zwartland work finished.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[8 March 1841]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.129
Summary:

Came back from Zwartland for a day, but returns tomorrow. Relates news of the measuring of the base line. Visited magnetic observatory; work in Zwartland not yet complete. Magnetic Observatory satisfactory despite slow construction. No news of the obelisk yet.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[4 April 1841]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.130
Summary:

Measuring work of the base line is virtually completed and levelling of the line will commence forthwith. Has devoted every day to the work except Sundays. Comments on various aspects of the work. F. E. Wilmot wishes he had not returned the rusty dip bar. Obelisk is on board the Romeo.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[28 March 1842]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.131
Summary:

Received JH's constellation reform paper. Reports on triangulation at Zwartland and observations of possible variable stars. Obelisk at Feldhausen erected; relates controversies over the site.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[17 December 1843]
Source of text:
RAS:JH Archive 3/1.1.2; Reel 7
Summary:

Recent travels. Dangers and difficulties of triangulation survey. Observations of variable brightness of Eta Argus. [Letter continues 29 December] Returned from 'Pequet Brig,' leaving C. P. Smyth with theodolite. Events in colony. Sending observations of Encke's Comet for R.A.S. Observations of 'great comet of March.' News of Nathaniel Wallich and family. Sends 'plan of the Herschel obelisk drawn by Smyth.' Details of obelisk. Progress on observations of 'Parallax stars.' Organized system to prevent mistakes in calculating and copying meridian work.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[17 September 1844]
Source of text:
Cape Archives/Maclear Papers File 100
Summary:

Attempts to determine light curve of Eta Argus; describes methods for determining magnitude. C. P. Smyth uses R.A.S. theodolite telescope. TM will triangulate Bushman Flat. Parallax work at Cape Observatory continues. Reports progress of new government Secretary, [John] Montague.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[17 September 1844]
Source of text:
RAS:JH Archive 3/1.1.13; Reel 7
Summary:

Magnitude changes in Eta Argus. Compares methods for measuring brightness. Difficulties completing 'sector observations.' C. P. Smyth's problems with theodolite at Cape Agulhas. Mrs. [Mary] Maclear recovering after serious illness. New roads and bridges in colony.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[2 November 1844]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.132
Summary:

Observed Comet Mauvais. Is grateful for JH's intervention on Observatory matters. Extra Meridian Instruments defective. Continues observations of variables. F. E. Wilmot's land survey cancelled. Magnetic survey progressing. Mary Maclear ailing.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[15 January 1846]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.133
Summary:

Observatory work slowed since William Mann's absence due to head injury. C. P. Smyth's replacement not yet arrived. Regrets lack of assistants; wants to complete triangulation at Bushman Flat.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[28 March 1846]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.134
Summary:

William Mann returns to England still in poor health. Expresses concern over running of Edinburgh Observatory by C. P. Symth. Regrets poor data from Cape Observatory on Comet of 1843. Observed Comet Gambert. Situation with Caffres hostile.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[24 May 1846]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.135
Summary:

Suggests JH take trip to Continent to recover. Training a naval officer and the son of John Montague, Colonial Secretary, as observatory assistants. Describes outbreak of war with Caffres in detail.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[17 June 1846]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.136
Summary:

Relating recent events in the latest Caffre war. [George] Childe has arrived and is engaged in preparing his rooms. Has had a letter from C. P. Smyth at Edinburgh. Price of commodities are rising rapidly at the Cape. Hopes that JH has taken expert medical advice.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[30 May 1847]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.137
Summary:

Has just read W. R. Dawes's description of the observatory at Camden Lodge and the telescope by eorg Merz makes TM envious. Hopes JH will press claims for one for the Cape. Is at present engaged sinking the Sector for shelter. TM has suffered much from the effects of the heat. Dr. Gall has died, aged 98. What a drubbing G. B. Airy has given R. H. Inglis.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[21 August 1847]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.138
Summary:

Has had to leave his work with the Sector due to ill health. Found [George] Child overworked at the Observatory. Comments on some observations. Pleased to hear that JH's health has improved. Mr. Watermeyer has died and C. F. H. von Ludwig remarried. Gives latest news of Kaffir War. Comments on the quarrel between G. B. Airy and James South.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[19 January 1848]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.139
Summary:

Illness in the family has prevented him from acknowledging JH's splendid work, which arrived some weeks ago. Is grateful for JH's appreciation of TM's work. Wife has been very ill. C. F. H. Ludwig has died. H. G. W. Smith has said there must be a Botanic Garden at the Cape. New treaty regarding Kaffir land may increase the chance of peace.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[20 February 1848]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.140
Summary:

Gives recent observations with the 46" achromatic. G. B. Airy has sent the elements of the recently discovered planets. Latest news of the Governor of the Cape and his diplomatic missions. Mrs. Maclear's sister has come out to visit them and her health and Mrs. Maclear's is improving. R. J. Jones has decided to keep Feldhausen in the family and not sell it.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Thomas Maclear
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[4 September 1848]
Source of text:
RS:HS 12.141
Summary:

Pleased to receive JH's letter of 12 June. Has to visit Agulhas to view the erection of the lighthouse. Gives details of the history of this new lighthouse. Pity François Arago does not continue his experiments with gas. Governor is in the North of the Country visiting the emigrant Boers.

Contributor:
John Herschel Project