this year Airy completed his “Notes on the Earlier Hebrew Scriptures,” which were shortly afterwards published as a book by Messrs Longmans, Green, & Co.  In his letter to the publishers introducing the subject, he says, “For many years past I have at times put together a few sentences explanatory as I conceive of the geographical and historical circumstances connected with the principal events recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures.  The view which I take is free, but I trust not irreverent.  They terminate with a brief review of Colenso’s great work.  The collection now amounts to a small book.”  From the references already given in previous years to his Papers and correspondence on the geography of Exodus, his correspondence with Colenso, &c. &c., it will be seen that he took a great interest in the early history of the Israelites.—­On August 10th, 1875, Airy celebrated the Bicentenary of the Royal Observatory by a dinner in the Octagon Room, which was attended by the Presidents of the Royal Society and the R. Astr.  Society, and by a large number of Scientific gentlemen interested in Astronomy.—­In February he was revising his Treatise on “Probabilities.”

Of private history:  up to Jan. 16th Airy was at Playford as usual.—­For about a week in April he was in the Isle of Man with his daughter Christabel.—­In June there was a short trip to Salisbury, Blandford, and Wimborne.—­On August 12th he started with his daughter Annot for a holiday in Cumberland, but on the next day he was recalled by a telegram with the intelligence that a change for the worse had come over his wife’s health.  Lady Airy died on August 13th, 1875.  For the last five years of her life she had been very helpless from the effects of a paralytic stroke—­a very sad ending to a bright and happy life—­and had been continually nursed throughout this time by her two unmarried daughters with the greatest self-denial and devotion.  Her husband had been unremitting in his care and attention.  Nothing was wanting that the most thoughtful kindness could supply.  And in all his trips and excursions his constant and kind letters shewed how anxious he was that she should participate in all his interests and amusements.  From the nature of the case it could hardly be said that her death was unexpected, and he received the shock with the manly steadiness which belonged to him.  Lady Airy was buried in Playford churchyard.—­From Sept. 22nd to Oct. 4 he made a short expedition to Wales (Capel Curig, &c.).—­On Dec. 15th he attended the Commemoration at Trinity College, Cambridge.—­On Dec. 22nd he went as usual to Playford.

In this year Airy received the high honour of the Freedom of the City of London, in the following communication: 

STONE, Mayor.—­A Common Council holden in the Chamber of the Guildhall of the City of London, on Thursday the 29th day of April 1875.

Resolved Unanimously

That the Freedom of this City in a Gold Box of the value of One hundred guineas be presented to Sir George Biddell Airy, K.C.B., D.C.L., LL.D. &c., Astronomer Royal, 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 Civilization.