§ On the question that 24,590l. be granted to defray the salaries of the officers and contingent expenses of the several Scientific Departments of the Navy,
1052§ Mr. Spring Riceinquired of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Majesty's Government had granted any pension to Professor Airy.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, that he had not the honour of a personal acquaintance with Professor Airy; but was induced by his reputation to write to him to say, that he should have great gratification if he would allow him (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) to recommend him to his Majesty as a pensioner on the Civil List, in order to encourage those who devoted their lives to science, to pursue studies so honourable to the country, whilst it was quite clear that the devotion of the same talents to lucrative pursuits would lead to wealth. He added that he did not consider the pension as conferring any personal or political obligation whatever, and in the result he had the permission of the reverend Professor to advise his Majesty to bestow on him a pension of 300l. per annum.
§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, that every one, both in and out of the House, would hear with satisfaction the answer of the right hon. Baronet. The pursuits of science, however conducive to the public benefit, were any thing but profitable to the individual engaged in them; and if a man like Professor Airy did not meet with reward in some such way as had so much to his credit been adopted by the right hon. Baronet, it would be a matter of regret to all who valued the honour of their country. The predecessors of the right hon. Baronet might be allowed to envy him the opportunity he had had of bestowing such a mark of the Sovereign's approval upon Professor Airy; and he must, in justice to his noble Friend, who was lately at the head of the Treasury, say that he also had had his attention turned to the merits of that distinguished man, and he held in his hand a copy of a letter addressed to him at the desire of Lord Melbourne. It was to this effect—
Downing-street, August 25, 1834.MY DEAR SIR.—It is highly probable that a vacancy may take place very shortly in the office of Astronomer Royal. If this event occur, it will be of course the duty and the object of the Government to make such a selection as shall be most conducive to the interest of science, and as shall secure to our national astronomical establishment and its observations, the greatest respect and authority throughout Europe.On these principles it is more than 1053 natural that the Government should be desirous of knowing whether the appointment is one which you would accept; as it would be most gratifying to us all to have an opportunity of marking the admiration which we feel for your eminent attainments, and the respect which is justly due to your character as an individual. As a Cambridge man, I am fully aware that to our University the loss of one of its greatest ornaments cannot but be felt as irreparable; but we ought not to be selfish, we should think of England as well as of Cambridge; and I trust there is not one of our scientific friends who will not feel that in selecting a new Astronomer Royal, it is towards you that the earliest attention of his Majesty's Government should be directed, less in justice to science, than to the credit and character of the country.Pray let me hear from you at your earliest convenience, and believe me, &c.T. SPRING RICE,To rev. Professor Airy, Cambridge.
§ The vote was agreed to.
§ The House resumed, Committee to sit again.