The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-02
MAsoy AND DIxoy,s LIVE.
somethins About the Two Wen whose Mama.
~ Has Made Famous.

@AE" NN"VNo nnmZT
n Has Made Famous.
About 100 years ago-to be exact. in 17s3-
two highly scientific Englishmen came over N
this country from London on n scientific crrnnd:
and. being very particular persons. they drew A
pretty sharp line between n good many things.
The line they drew has gone down into history.
and has carried their names with II: 80. though
II you go back to the proceedings Of the Royal
Society Of Great Britain you will find their
names appearing often enough. in this country
they are known only by their line Mason and
Dixon's line. the line between Pennsylvania and
Maryland. the north side OF which before tho
war meant freedom. the south side slavery. in
the case OF a negro.
Charles Mason was the more Important; Jcre.
miah Dixon's fame depends, like that OF n great
many other men and Of some fishes. upon hi,
connection with n line. Masonis doesn't. Hs
was an F. X. s.. and even nowadays. when
Queen Victoria has invented orders that include
anybody and everybody. the letters =. r. =.
stand for u good deal when they follow n mans
name. This was how these scientific men came
here: Between the proprictors Of Pennsylvania
and the proprietor OF Maryland there had been
a dispute. and neither knew Just where TO shiny
II he wanted to shiny ON his own side. and tho
other fellow wouldn't let him shiny on his rhe
other fellow'sI side. Now. such a state Of affair,
u" ~ w b'hhho . Nthh ohA ~
Right Honorable the Lord Baltimore decided 10
have the line drawn tight. and by and with tho
advice and consent Of the Royal Society hired
Mr.. Charles Mason and Mr.. jeremiah Dixon 10
draw II. These gentlemen had only recently re-
turned from observing the transit OF Venus al
the Cape Of Good Hope; so they were pretty we'll
travelled men for those days. and they wero
more travelled yet when they came hack from
this country. Two years at sea and in South
IL A~l 49,
American Indians must have been somewhat Of
a cycle OF Cathsy 100 years ago. 1t Is hard 10
conceive to-day exactly tho enterprise and
courage OF these two astronomers and mathe.
maticians In travelling 80 far In such diferene
directions.
Mason kept a diary OF his stay in this country,
in which he Incorporated his field notes. This
was found in a pile OF waste paper in the Gov
eminent House at Halifax in 1850. The adven.
lures, mishaps, and incidents OF each day arc set
down in his diary, together with the statistical
details Of the survey and the astronomical OBJ
servations. The name OF every hating place 10
put down. together with that Of every person
who offered them hospitality, and botanical
notes. remarks on the country. its agricultural
capabilities. and geological structure are found
continually. Then some interesting papers ero
stitched into the book. One is a certihcate:
Mr Charlie. Mason 1. duly admitted q corresponding
member Of the American Society, held In Philadei
phia. FOR promoting useful knowledge.
Signed by order Of the society.
18th day OF April. A. u. l7os.
The original instructions from the Penns and
Lord Baltimore are with the field notes. together
with a certificate from the Royal society author
izing Mason and Dixon TO measure a degree Of
latitude and agreeing TO pay them 5000 Tor do.
ing the work. Ii took them nearly a month to
measure the degree; probably that was the best.
the field notes do not disclose the compensation
given b. the Penns and Lord baltimore, IT is
hardly probable that It was 200 a month for
Mason and Dixon reached Philadelphia from
September, probably. on Dec. 3 they deter.
mined the situation OF a house in Cedar or South
from the time the said city was first laid out 10
boasdary ihersof." They foand its latitude 10
After that they went TO work. history shows
with what results Up TO June, 1877 they were
Maryland; thereafter they started to trace the
west line to Us western extremity. sir Wi,
the Indians TO their doing so. They received
Instructions about treating the Indians care
fully, and got this tip on June Is:
The Commissioners recommended TO Messrs.
Mason and Dixon that the sPiritTous liquors 10 be
quantities.. mixed with water. and delivered TO
them not more than three times a dag" There
is practtcai Temperance. vintage OF l76!;
being run further than a road called the War
path so in l5Ss the surveyors stopPed working
anu pI'phI'u 10. ItiuTn HoWt ineN ectAlcl
things very quickly. as the notes show:
tl1Ssl August 25. 20. 27-Attended the Gent Com
miss,oners st New Town. where our accounts were
settled. certificates given US Of the same. and the
whole work on our part relating to the business We
had been engaged in for the Honorable Propretou
OF Maryland and Pennsylvania are entirely finished.
This is the last entry in the volume OF notes:
Sept. e-At II 80 A. N. went on board the Halifax
packet, hound for Falmouth. Thus ends my restless
progress In America c. MASON.
Charles Mason WAS born IN 1880. so that he
was only 81 when he finished his famous line.
He returned 10 England and later TO this coun.
try, where he died in Philadelphia in February.
1857. IF You seek his monument" look cas-; or
west along tho Pennsylvania Maryland STATE
line. You won't see il: but IL Is there. As FOR
Mr.. Dixon, who knows He came with Mason;
he went with Mason: and he is not.