Those most interested in the scientific side of University life
decided in 1820 that it would be proper to found an astronomical
observatory at Cambridge. Donations were accordingly sought for this
purpose, and upwards of 6,000 pounds were contributed by members of
the University and the public. To this sum 5,000 pounds were added
by a grant from the University chest, and in 1824 further sums
amounting altogether to 7,115 pounds were given by the University for
the same object. The regulations as to the administration of the new
observatory placed it under the management of the Plumian Professor,
who was to be provided with two assistants. Their duties were to
consist in making meridian observations of the sun, moon, and the
stars, and the observations made each year were to be printed and
published. The observatory was also to be used in the educational
work of the University, for it was arranged that smaller instruments
were to be provided by which students could be instructed in the
practical art of making astronomical observations.

The building of the Cambridge Astronomical Observatory was completed
in 1824, but in 1828, when Airy entered on the discharge of his
duties as Director, the establishment was still far from completion,
in so far as its organisation was concerned. Airy commenced his work
so energetically that in the next year after his appointment he was
able to publish the first volume of "Cambridge Astronomical
Observations," notwithstanding that every part of the work, from the
making of observations to the revising of the proof-sheets, had to be
done by himself.

It may here be remarked that these early volumes of the publications
of the Cambridge Observatory contained the first exposition of those