Autobiography of Sir George Biddell Airy | Page 6

for what he thought right, whether in the
way of money grants for various objects, or for occasional permission
to give his services to scientific matters not immediately connected
with the Observatory. Sometimes the Admiralty refused his requests,
and he felt this very keenly, but he was far too busy and energetic to
trouble himself about such little slights, and cheerfully accepted the
situation. What was refused by one Administration was frequently
granted by another; and in the meantime he was always ready to give
his most zealous assistance in any matter that was officially brought
before him. This cheerful readiness to help, combined with his great
ability and punctuality in business matters, made him a very valuable
servant, and speaking generally he had the confidence of the Admiralty
in a remarkable degree. In many of his Reports to the Board of Visitors
he speaks gratefully of the liberality of the Admiralty in forwarding
scientific progress and research. In matters too which are perhaps of
minor importance from the high stand-point of science, but which are

invaluable in the conduct of an important business office, such for
example as estimates and official correspondence, he was orderly and
punctual in the highest degree. And, what is by no means unimportant,
he possessed an excellent official style in correspondence, combined
with great clearness of expression. His entire honesty of purpose, and
the high respect in which he was held both at home and abroad, gave
great weight to his recommendations.
With regard to his habits while he resided at the Observatory, his
custom was to work in his official room from 9 to about 2.30, though in
summer he was frequently at work before breakfast. He then took a
brisk walk, and dined at about 3.30. This early hour had been
prescribed and insisted upon by his physician, Dr Haviland of
Cambridge, in whom he had great confidence. He ate heartily, though
simply and moderately, and slept for about an hour after dinner. He
then had tea, and from about 7 to 10 he worked in the same room with
his family. He would never retire to a private room, and regarded the
society of his family as highly beneficial in "taking the edge off his
work." His powers of abstraction were remarkable: nothing seemed to
disturb him; neither music, singing, nor miscellaneous conversation. He
would then play a game or two at cards, read a few pages of a classical
or historical book, and retire at 11. On Sundays he attended morning
service at church, and in the evening read a few prayers very carefully
and impressively to his whole household. He was very hospitable, and
delighted to receive his friends in a simple and natural way at his house.
In this he was most admirably aided by his wife, whose grace and skill
made everything pleasant to their guests. But he avoided dinner-parties
as much as possible--they interfered too much with his work--and with
the exception of scientific and official dinners he seldom dined away
from home. His tastes were entirely domestic, and he was very happy
in his family. With his natural love of work, and with the incessant
calls upon him, he would soon have broken down, had it not been for
his system of regular relaxation. Two or three times a year he took a
holiday: generally a short run of a week or ten days in the spring, a trip
of a month or thereabouts in the early autumn, and about three weeks at
Playford in the winter. These trips were always conducted in the most
active manner, either in constant motion from place to place, or in daily

active excursions. This system he maintained with great regularity, and
from the exceeding interest and enjoyment that he took in these trips
his mind was so much refreshed and steadied that he always kept
himself equal to his work.
Airy seems to have had a strong bent in the direction of astronomy
from his youth, and it is curious to note how well furnished he was, by
the time that he became Astronomer Royal, both with astronomy in all
its branches, and with the kindred sciences so necessary for the
practical working and improvement of it. At the time that he went to
Cambridge Physical Astronomy was greatly studied there and formed a
most important part of the University course. He eagerly availed
himself of this, and mastered the Physical Astronomy in the most
thorough manner, as was evidenced by his Papers collected in his
"Mathematical Tracts," his investigation of the Long Inequality of the
Earth and Venus, and many other works. As Plumian Professor he had
charge of the small Observatory at Cambridge, where he did a great
deal of the observing and reduction work himself, and became