I am honoured with your letter of March 18, communicating to me my nomination by the Academy of Sciences to the place rendered vacant in the class of Foreign Associates of the Academy by the decease of Sir John Herschel, and enclosing Copy of the Decree of the President of the French Republic approving the Election.

It is almost unnecessary for me to attempt to express to you the pride and gratification with which I receive this announcement.  By universal consent, the title of Associe Etranger de l’Academie des Sciences is recognised as the highest distinction to which any man of science can aspire; and I can scarcely imagine that, unless by the flattering interpretation of my friends in the Academy, I am entitled to bear it.  But in any case, I am delighted to feel that the bands of friendship are drawn closer between myself and the distinguished body whom, partly by personal intercourse, partly by correspondence, and in every instance by reputation, I have known so long.

I beg that you will convey to the Academy my long-felt esteem for that body in its scientific capacity, and my deep recognition of its friendship to me and of the honor which it has conferred on me in the late election.

I have the honor to be
Gentlemen,
Your very faithful servant,
G.B.  AIRY.

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On the 20th November 1872 Airy was nominated a Grand Cross in the Imperial Order of the Rose of Brazil:  the insignia of the Order were accompanied by an autograph letter from the Emperor of Brazil, of which the following is a transcript.

MONSIEUR,

Vous etes un des doyens de la science, et le President de l’illustre Societe, qui a eu la bienveillance d’inscrire mon nom parmi ceux de ses associes.  La maniere, dont vous m’avez fait les honneurs de votre Observatoire m’a impose aussi l’agreable devoir d’indiquer votre nom a l’empereur de Bresil pour un temoignage de haute estime, dont je suis fort heureux de vous faire part personellement, en vous envoyant les decorations que vous garderez, an moins, comme un souvenir de ma visite a Greenwich.

J’espere que vous m’informerez, quand il vous sera aise, des travaux de votre observatoire, et surtout de ce que l’on aura fait pour l’observation du passage de Venus et la determination exacte de la passage.

J’ai recu deja les Proceedings de la Royal Society lesquels m’interessent vivement.

Je voudrais vous ecrire dans votre langue, mais, comme je n’en ai pas l’habitude, j’ai craigne de ne pas vous exprimer tout-a-fait les sentiments de

Votre affectionne,
D. PEDRO D’ALCANTARA.

RIO,
22 Octobre, 1872.

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Airy’s reply was as follows: 

                                         ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH,
                                                1872, November 26.