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ALMACANTAR (from the Arabic for a sun...

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Originally appearing in Volume V01, Page 711 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
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ALMACANTAR (from the Arabic for a See also:sun-See also:dial)  , an astronomical See also:term for a small circle of the See also:sphere parallel to the See also:horizon; when two stars are in the same See also:almacantar they have the same See also:altitude . The term was also given (188o) to an See also:instrument invented by S . C . See also:Chandler to determine the See also:latitude or correct the timepiece, of See also:great value because of its freedom from instrumental errors . ALMACK'S, formerly the name of a famous See also:London See also:club and See also:assembly rooms . The founder, known as See also:William Almack, is usually said to have been one Macall, or McCaul, of which name Almack is an See also:anagram . In 1764 he founded a gentlemen's club in See also:Pall Mall, where the See also:present See also:Marlborough Club stands . It was famous for its high See also:play . In 1778 it was taken over by one See also:Brooks, and established as Brooks's Club in St See also:James's See also:Street, where it still exists . In 1765 Almack built a See also:suite of assembly rooms in See also:King's Street, St James's . Here for a ten-See also:guinea subscription a See also:series of weekly balls was given for twelve See also:weeks . They were managed by a See also:committee of ladies of See also:rank, and See also:admission was exceedingly difficult .

At Almack's See also:

death in 1781 they were See also:left to his niece Mrs See also:Willis . As " Willis's Rooms" they lasted till 1890, when they became a restaurant, but as " Almack's " they ceased in 1863 . Several clubs, including a mixed club for ladies and gentlemen, held meetings at Almack's during the 18th and beginningof the 19th centuries . A new London social club (1904) has also adopted the name of Almack's .

End of Article: ALMACANTAR (from the Arabic for a sun-dial)
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