Each year's accumulation is bound, and the bound volumes of Mr.Airy's time nearly cover one side of his private room.
"Mr.Airy replies to all kinds of letters, with two exceptions: those which ask for autographs, and those which request him to calculate nativities.

Both of these are very frequent.
"In the drawing-room Mr.Airy is cheery; he loves to recite ballads and knows by heart a mass of verses, from 'A, Apple Pie,' to the 'Lady of the Lake.' "A lover of Nature and a close observer of her ways, as well in the forest walk as in the vault of heaven, Mr.Airy has roamed among the beautiful scenery of the Lake region until he is as good a mountain guide as can be found.

He has strolled beside Grassmere and ascended Helvellyn.

He knows the height of the mountain peaks, the shingles that lie on their sides, the flowers that grow in the valleys, the mines beneath the surface.
"At one time the Government Survey planted what is called a 'Man' on the top of one of the hills of the Lake region.

In a dry season they built up a stone monument, right upon the bed of a little pond.