Autobiography of Sir George Biddell Airy | Page 5

upon his self-reliance and independence of thought. And in
the heavy work of remodelling the Observatory it was a very valuable
quality. This same self-reliance made him in his latter years apt to draw
conclusions too confidently and hastily on subjects which he had taken
up more as a pastime than as work. But whatever he touched he dealt
with ably and in the most fearless truthseeking manner, and left original
and vigorous opinions.
He had a remarkably well-balanced mind, and a simplicity of nature
that appeared invulnerable. No amount of hero-worship seemed to have
the least effect upon him. And from a very early time he was exposed
to a great deal of it. His mind was incessantly engaged on
investigations of Nature, and this seems to have been with him, as has
been the case with others, a preserving influence. This simplicity of
character he retained throughout his life. At the same time he was

sensible and shrewd in his money matters and attentive to his personal
interests. And his practical good sense in the general affairs of life,
combined with his calm and steady consideration of points submitted to
him, made his advice very valuable. This was especially recognized by
his own and his wife's relations, who consulted him on many occasions
and placed the fullest confidence in his absolute sense of justice as well
as in his wise counsel. He was extremely liberal in proportion to his
means, and gave away money to a large extent to all who had any claim
upon him. But he was not in any sense reckless, and kept a most
cautious eye on his expenses. He was not indifferent to the honours
which he received in the scientific world, but he does not appear to
have sought them in any way, and he certainly did not trouble himself
about them.
His courtesy was unfailing: no amount of trouble could shake it.
Whether it was the Secretary of the Admiralty, or a servant girl wanting
her fortune told: whether a begging-letter for money, or miscellaneous
invitations: all had their answer in the most clear and courteous
language. But he would not grant personal interviews when he could
avoid it: they took up too much of his time. His head was so clear that
he never seemed to want for the clearest and most direct language in
expressing his meaning, and his letters are models of terseness.
In all his views and opinions he was strongly liberal. At Cambridge at
an early date he was one of the 83 members of the Senate who
supported the application to permit the granting of medical degrees
without requiring an expression of assent to the religious doctrines of
the Church of England. And in 1868 he declined to sign a petition
against the abolition of religious declarations required of persons
admitted to Fellowships or proceeding to the degree of M.A. And he
was opposed to every kind of narrowness and exclusiveness. When he
was appointed to the post of Astronomer Royal, he stipulated that he
should not be asked to vote in any political election. But all his views
were in the liberal direction. He was a great reader of theology and
church history, and as regarded forms of worship and the interpretation
of the Scriptures, he treated them with great respect, but from the point
of view of a freethinking layman. In the Preface to his "Notes on the

Earlier Hebrew Scriptures" he says, "In regard to the general tone of
these notes, I will first remark that I have nothing to say on the subject
of verbal inspiration. With those who entertain that doctrine, I can have
nothing in common. Nor do I recognize, in the professedly historical
accounts, any other inspiration which can exempt them from the
severest criticism that would be applicable to so-called profane
accounts, written under the same general circumstances, and in the
same countries." And his treatment of the subject in the "Notes" shews
how entirely he took a rationalistic view of the whole question. He also
strongly sided with Bishop Colenso in his fearless criticism of the
Pentateuch, though he dissented from some of his conclusions. But he
was deeply imbued with the spirit of religion and reflected much upon
it. His whole correspondence conveys the impression of the most
sterling integrity and high-mindedness, without a trace of affectation.
In no letter does there appear a shadow of wavering on matters of
principle, whether in public or private matters, and he was very clear
and positive in his convictions.
The great secret of his long and successful official career was that he
was a good servant and thoroughly understood his position. He never
set himself in opposition to his masters, the Admiralty. He never
hesitated to ask the Admiralty