Showing 11 results

Greenwich - RA offers her condolences on the death of Cordelia Whewell.

Greenwich - Thanks WW for 'writing yourself to give us the intelligence about our boy which has been very delightful to us. His success was perfectly unexpected by us' [Wilfred Airy gaining a Trinity Scholarship].

Greenwich - RA and George Airy were sorry they missed WW and EA in Spain [to witness the total eclipse]: 'I never before saw a country so uncivilized and so deficient'.

JH has learnt from Richarda Airy that Cordelia and William Whewell are now settled in at Trinity College. JH's next door neighbour Mr Hartwell has just sent his son up to Trinity College, and JH would like WW to give him occasional encouragement and keep him on the right path.

Royal Observatory Greenwich - Richarda Airy has given birth to a boy.

Royal Observatory Greenwich - 'Richarda Airy has determined on taking our daughter [Elizabeth Airy who is ill] to Madeira. This, I need not say, is a grave measure; the mere expense is to me not a slight thing; but the most serious part is the separation for so long a time of the head of such a family'. GA proposes to come to Cambridge at some time and among other things talk to WW about the Sydney Professorships: 'These good people in Australia suddenly sent a commission to Herschel, Malden, H. Denisen, and myself, to ship them off 3 professors'.

Flamsteed House, Greenwich - The ship Richarda Airy is to sail on 'probably will not sail outward from Southampton before December 5' [see GA to WW, 20 November 1851]. This will probably prevent GA coming to Cambridge next week.

Flamsteed House, Greenwich - Due to a little ailment and the desire to go to Playford with his family, GA must 'reluctantly give up the chance of seeing' WW.

Flamsteed House, Greenwich - GA has received a letter from his wife: 'With one day's roughness the voyage had been very smooth. They had scarcely any sickness, but Mrs Airy had suffered constant nausea; and they seem weary of the voyage' [see GA to WW, 20 November 1851].

Royal Observatory Greenwich - WW's memorial on the tides 'was duly read by me and approved to the best of my judgement, and reserved for the intended meeting of the B.A. Council'. A Council was called without informing GA: 'Imagine a Seniority Meeting without notice to the Master - so I have pronounced said meeting null and void, and we will have another soon, as soon as I have screwed Henslow and Hooker into shape, who are the most unpractical dogs that I ever met with. The business of the Association will, in fact, be somewhat advanced by this apparent contretemps'. GA has had a letter from 'Madeira yesterday. My party seem to be posited comfortably; but with regard to the ultimate success in the main object of the voyage, I have little hope' [see GA to WW, 20 Nov. 1851].