from the earth could be obtained.  The Astronomer Royal also studied tidal phenomena, and he rendered great service to the country in the restoration of the standards of length and weight which had been destroyed in the great fire at the House of Parliament in October, 1834.  In the most practical scientific matters his advice was often sought, and was as cheerfully rendered.  Now we find him engaged in an investigation of the irregularities of the compass in iron ships, with a view to remedying its defects; now we find him reporting on the best gauge for railways.  Among the most generally useful developments of the observatory must be mentioned the telegraphic method for the distribution of exact time.  By arrangement with the Post Office, the astronomers at Greenwich despatch each morning a signal from the observatory to London at ten o’clock precisely.  By special apparatus, this signal is thence distributed automatically over the country, so as to enable the time to be known everywhere accurately to a single second.  It was part of the same system that a time ball should be dropped daily at one o’clock at Deal, as well as at other places, for the purpose of enabling ship’s chronometers to be regulated.

Airy’s writings were most voluminous, and no fewer than forty-eight memoirs by him are mentioned in the “Catalogue of Scientific Memoirs,” published by the Royal Society up to the year 1873, and this only included ten years out of an entire life of most extraordinary activity.  Many other subjects besides those of a purely scientific character from time to time engaged his attention.  He wrote, for instance, a very interesting treatise on the Roman invasion of Britain, especially with a view of determining the port from which Caesar set forth from Gaul, and the point at which he landed on the British coast.  Airy was doubtless led to this investigation by his study of the tidal phenomena in the Straits of Dover.  Perhaps the Astronomer Royal is best known to the general reading public by his excellent lectures on astronomy, delivered at the Ipswich Museum in 1848.  This book has passed through many editions, and it gives a most admirable account of the manner in which the fundamental problems in astronomy have to be attacked.

As years rolled by almost every honour and distinction that could be conferred upon a scientific man was awarded to Sir George Airy.  He was, indeed, the recipient of other honours not often awarded for scientific distinction.  Among these we may mention that in 1875 he received the freedom of the City of London, “as a recognition of his indefatigable labours in astronomy, and of his eminent services in the advancement of practical science, whereby he has so materially benefited the cause of commerce and civilisation.”