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."

Until his eightieth year Airy continued to discharge his labours at
Greenwich with unflagging energy. At last, on August 15th, 1881, he