Of private history:  There was the usual short visit to Playford at the beginning and end of the year.—­“From June 27th to August 10th I was travelling in the North and West of Scotland with my wife, my youngest son Osmund, and my daughter Annot.”

* * * * *

In this year the offer of Knighthood (for the third time) was made to Airy through the Rt Hon. Sir George C. Lewis, Bart.  The offer was accepted on Feb. 12th, 1863, but on the same day a second letter was written as follows: 

1863, Feb. 12.

DEAR SIR,

I am extremely ignorant of all matters connected with court ceremonial, and in reference to the proposed Knighthood would ask you:—­

1.  I trust that there is no expense of fees.  To persons like myself of small fortune an honour may sometimes be somewhat dear.

2.  My highest social rank is that given by my Academical Degree of D.C.L. which I hold in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.  In regard to costume, would it be proper that I should appear in the scarlet gown of that degree? or in the ordinary Court Dress?

I am, Dear Sir,
Yours very faithfully,
G.B.  AIRY.

The Right Honourable
  Sir George C. Lewis, Bart.,
    &c. &c. &c.

To this letter Sir G.C.  Lewis replied that the fees would amount to about L30, an intimation which produced the following letter: 

                                    ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH, S.E.
                                                  1863, Feb. 19th.

DEAR SIR,

I have to acknowledge your letter of yesterday:  and I advert to that part of it in which it is stated that the Fees on Knighthood amount to about L30.

Twenty-seven years ago the same rank was offered to me by Lord John Russell and Mr Spring Rice (then Ministers of the Crown), with the express notice that no fees would be payable.  I suppose that the usage (whatever it be) on which that notice was founded still subsists.

To a person whose annual income little more than suffices to meet the annual expenses of a very moderate establishment, an unsought honour may be an incumbrance.  It appears, at any rate, opposed to the spirit of such an honour, that it should be loaded with Court Expenses in its very creation.

I hope that the principle stated in 1835 may serve as precedent on this occasion.

I am, dear Sir,
Your very faithful servant,
G.B.  AIRY.

The Right Honourable
  Sir G. C. Lewis, Bart.,
    &c. &c. &c.

No intimation however was received that the fees would be remitted on the present occasion, and after consideration the proposed Knighthood was declined in the following letter: 

ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH, S.E.
1863, April 15.

DEAR SIR,