“In regard to the Planetary Reductions:  to July 11th J. Glaisher had been employed 27 weeks, and from July 11th to Jan. 16th, 1836, 25 weeks.  Mr Spring Rice, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, had promised money, but no official minute had been made, and no money had been granted.  On Aug. 21st I applied to Mr Baring (Secretary of the Treasury).  After another letter he answered on Oct. 15th that he found no official minute.  After writing to Vernon Harcourt and to Spring Rice, the matter was arranged:  my outlay was refunded, and another sum granted.—­In regard to Groombridge’s Observations, I find that on Dec. 16th certain trial reductions had been made under my direction by J. Glaisher.—­I had attempted some optical experiments in the summer, especially on the polarization of sky-light; but had been too busy with the Observatory to continue them.

“In August my wife was in a critical state of health.—­In December I received information regarding merchant ships’ chronometers, for which I had applied to Mr Charles Parker of Liverpool.—­On Dec. 8th Mr Spring Rice and Lord John Russell offered me knighthood, but I declined it.—­On July 23rd I went into Suffolk with my wife’s sisters Elizabeth and Georgiana, and returned on August 3rd:  this was all the holiday that I got in this year.—­On the 14th of August I saw Mr Taylor, the Admiralty Civil Architect in London, and the extension of buildings at Greenwich Observatory was arranged.—­I made various journeys to Greenwich, and on Dec. 17th, having sent off our furniture, we all quitted the Cambridge Observatory, and stayed for some days at the house of Miss Sheepshanks.

“Thus ended a busy and anxious year.”

* * * * *

With reference to the offer of knighthood above-mentioned, Airy’s reply is characteristic, and the short correspondence relating to it is therefore inserted.—­The offer itself is an additional proof of the high estimation in which he stood at this time.

DOWNING STREET,
Dec. 8th 1835.

MY DEAR SIR,

I have been in communication with my colleague Lord John Russell which has made me feel rather anxious to have the pleasure of seeing you, but on second thoughts it has occurred to me that the subject of my communication would render it more satisfactory to you to receive a letter than to pay a visit.

In testimony of the respect which is felt for your character and acquirements, there would be every disposition to recommend you to His Majesty to receive the distinction of Knighthood.  I am quite aware that to you individually this may be a matter of small concern, but to the scientific world in general it will not be indifferent, and to foreign countries it will mark the consideration felt for you personally as well as for the position which you occupy among your learned contemporaries.

From a knowledge of the respect and esteem which I feel for you Lord John Russell has wished that the communication should be made through me rather than through any person who had not the pleasure of your acquaintance.