MDMD(11): Observing Suit

[Dave Monroe]

"In the Crepuscule, Maskelyne's Observing Suit is
edging into Visibility." (M&D, Ch. 16, p. 172)

cre·pus·cule 
kri-'p&s-(")kyü(&)l
or cre·pus·cle  /-'p&-s&l/
noun
Latin crepusculum, from creper dusky
14th century
: TWILIGHT

http://m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=crepuscule

As in "crepuscular."  Just about ev'rybody's a bit
phantasmic here, no?  "Edging into Visibility" ... but
that "Obs Suit," those Obs Suits, "patch'd together
from local sources, whose colors in the Gloom are
mercifully obscur'd" (M&D, Ch. 15, p. 164) and
presumably not to be confused with the "Canary Coat
and Breeches Mason has nevr observ'd him in before"
(p. 173), did exist.  At least one still does.  See
...

Howse, Derek.  Nevil Maskelyne: The Seaman's
   Astronomer.  New York: Cambridge UP, 1989.

... Ch. 10, "Early Years at Greenwich, 1765-9," pp.
99-112 ...

"... a letter to Edmund [Maskelyne] in India dated 15
May 1766 ... has a tantalizing finish:

I shall be obliged to you for a little callico on your
return, if you have room; a little that would suit a
lady may possibly be useful some time or other.

"One wonders for whom the calico was intended: Nevil
was not to be married for another eighteen years.  But
a quilted astronomer's 'observing suit' still
survives--coat, waistcoat, and trousers (Fig.
10.1)--which was presumably brought back when Clive
and Edmund did return from India in July 1767." (p.
100)

And, on the facing page ...

"Fig 10.1.  Nevil Maskelyne's Observing Suit, quilted
silk waistcoat, jacket and trousers, sent by Robert
Clive from India, probably about 1765, now in the
possession of Nigel Arnold-Forster, Esq." (p. 101)

... who is presumably the guy modeling the suit. 
Can't find an online illustration, but sort of a
vested, light-colored, vertically-pinstriped quilted
adult-sized set of footed pajamas with a matching
long-tailed, wide-lapelled full-length Georgian coat. 
Okay, it might be a bit here, but will be back, on
cheeses, ghosts, ears ...

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