from the wit or brilliancy of her remarks as from the brightness and interest with which she entered into the topics under discussion, and from the unfailing grace and courtesy with which she attended to the views of others.  This was especially recognized by the foreign astronomers and men of science who from time to time stayed as guests at the Observatory and to whom she acted as hostess.  Although she was not an accomplished linguist yet she was well able to express herself in French and German, and her natural good sense and kindliness placed her guests at their ease, and made them feel themselves (as indeed they were) welcomed and at home.

Her father, the Rev. Richard Smith, was a man of most cultivated mind, and of the highest principles, with a keen enjoyment of good society, which the confidence and friendship of his patron the Duke of Devonshire amply secured to him, both at Chatsworth and in London.  He had a deep attachment to his Alma Mater of Cambridge, and though not himself a mathematician he had a great respect for the science of mathematics and for eminent mathematicians.  During the long courtship already related Mr Smith conceived the highest respect for Airy’s character, as well as for his great repute and attainments, and expressed his lively satisfaction at his daughter’s marriage.  Thus on January 20th, 1830, he wrote to his intended son-in-law as follows:  “I have little else to say to you than that I continue with heartfelt satisfaction to reflect on the important change about to take place in my dear daughter’s situation.  A father must not allow himself to dilate on such a subject:  of course I feel confident that you will have no reason to repent the irrevocable step you have taken, but from the manner in which Richarda has been brought up, you will find such a helpmate in her as a man of sense and affection would wish to have, and that she is well prepared to meet the duties and trials (for such must be met with) of domestic life with a firm and cultivated mind, and the warm feelings of a kind heart.  Her habits are such as by no means to lead her to expensive wishes, nor will you I trust ever find it necessary to neglect those studies and pursuits upon which your reputation and subsistence are chiefly founded, to seek for idle amusements for your companion.  I must indulge no further in speaking of her, and have only at present to add that I commit in full confidence into your hands the guardianship of my daughter’s happiness.”  And on April 5th, 1830, shortly after their marriage, he wrote to his daughter thus:  “If thinking of you could supply your place amongst us you would have been with us unceasingly, for we have all of us made you the principal object of our thoughts and our talk since you left us, and I travelled with you all your journey to your present delightful home.  We had all but one feeling of the purest pleasure in the prospect of the true domestic comfort to which we fully believe you to be now gone, and we rejoice