I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
ROBERT HALL.
Sir George Biddell Airy, K.C.B.
&c., &c., &c.,
Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
"The Astronomer Royal (Sir George B. Airy) having announced his intention of shortly retiring from his position at the Royal Observatory, the following resolution proposed by Professor J. C. Adams, and seconded by Professor G. G. Stokes, was then unanimously adopted and ordered to be recorded in the Minutes of the Proceedings.
"The Board having heard from the Astronomer Royal that he proposes to terminate his connection with the Observatory on the 15th of August next, desire to record in the most emphatic manner their sense of the eminent services which he has rendered to Astronomy, to Navigation and the allied Sciences, throughout the long period of 45 years during which he has presided over the Royal Observatory.
"They consider that during that time he has not only maintained but has greatly extended the ancient reputation of the Institution, and they believe that the Astronomical and other work which has been carried on in it under his direction will form an enduring monument of his Scientific insight and his powers of organization.
"Among his many services to Science, the following are a few which they desire especially to commemorate:
(a) "The complete re-organization of the Equipment of the Observatory.
(b) "The designing of instruments of exceptional stability and delicacy suitable for the increased accuracy of observation demanded by the advance of Astronomy.
(c) "The extension of the means of making observations of the Moon in such portions of her orbit as are not accessible to the Transit Circle.
(d) "The investigation of the effect of the iron of ships upon compasses and the correction of the errors thence arising.