I believe that, in addition to the effects ascribable to Newtonian gravitation (as general motion of the earth, precession of the equinoxes, and tides), this magnetic disturbance is the only one yet established as depending on an external body.  Men in general, however, do not think so.  It appears to be a law of the human mind, to love to trace an effect to a cause, and to be ready to assent to any specious cause.  Thus all practical men of the lower classes, even those whose pecuniary interests are concerned in it, believe firmly in the influence of the moon upon the winds and the weather.  I believe that every careful examiner of recorded facts (among whom I place myself as regards the winds) has come to the conclusion that the influence of the moon is not discoverable.

I point out these two things (magnetic disturbances and weather) as tending to shew that notoriety or the assumed consent of practical men, are of no value.  The unnotorious matter may be quite certain, the notorious matter may have no foundation.  Everything must stand on its own evidence, as completely digested and examined.

Of such evidence the planetary influence has not a particle.

My intended short note has, in the course of writing, grown up into a discourse of very unreasonable length; and it is possible that a large portion of it has only increased obscurity.  At any rate I can add nothing, I believe, which can help to explain more fully my views on this matter.

* * * * *

In this year (1862, June 9th) Airy received the Honorary Degree of LL.D. in the University of Cambridge.  He was nominated by the Duke of Devonshire, as appears from the following letter: 

LISMORE CASTLE, IRELAND,
April 19th, 1862.

MY DEAR SIR,

It is proposed according to usage to confer a considerable number of Honorary Degrees on the occasion of my first visit to Cambridge as Chancellor of the University.

I hope that you will allow me to include your name in that portion of the list which I have been invited to draw up.

The ceremony is fixed for the 10th of June.

I am, my dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
DEVONSHIRE.

The Astronomer Royal.

* * * * *

Airy’s reply was as follows: 

ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH,
LONDON, S.E.
1862, April 21.

MY LORD DUKE,

I am exceedingly gratified by your communication this day received, conveying a proposal which I doubt not is suggested by your Grace’s recollection of transactions now many years past.

I have always been desirous of maintaining my connection with my University, and have in various ways interested myself practically in its concerns.  It would give me great pleasure to have the connection strengthened in the flattering way which you propose.

I had conceived that alumni of the University were not admissible to honorary degrees; but upon this point the information possessed by your Grace, as Chancellor of the University, cannot be disputed.