Nor can it be forgotten that, notwithstanding his
absorbing occupations, his advice and assistance have always been at
the disposal of Astronomers for any work of importance.
"To refer in detail to his labours in departments of Science not
directly connected with the Royal Observatory may seem to lie beyond
the province of the Board. But it cannot be improper to state that its
members are not unacquainted with the high estimation in which his
contributions to the Theory of Tides, to the undulatory theory of
Light, and to various abstract branches of Mathematics are held by men
of Science throughout the world.
"In conclusion the Board would express their earnest hope, that in his
retirement Sir George Airy may enjoy health and strength and that
leisure for which he has often expressed a desire to enable him not
only to complete the numerical Lunar Theory on which he has been
engaged for some years past, but also to advance Astronomical Science
in other directions."
* * * * *
ADMIRALTY,
_27th October, 1881_.
SIR,
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit
to you, herewith, a copy of a Treasury Minute, awarding you a Special
Pension of _L1100_ a year, in consideration of your long and brilliant
services as Astronomer Royal.
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