Youghal Saturday morning | Sep. 26th, 1840.
My dear Father
I suppose you now think it high time for me to attempt something in the shape of a letter to you. My correspondence with Emma was the cause of my delaying so long, and my having nothing of any consequence to say was another strong preventative to my scribbling. But as I feel that anything no matter how trifling when it comes from you carries an interest with it which chains it to my heart. So now I begin to think that the feeling may be reciprocal and that you on your part feel grateful if you receive only a sheet ful of fudge from me.
I am now in the office tugging away at the old work. We have got a new officer his name is Whittingham. Great alterations are expected very shortly. Mr Wynne is leaving on account of Mrs Wynne’s health; he is going to some foreign station in about a month.1 I asked Mr Wynne for a testimonial as to my character and capabilities he refused me, alleging as a reason that if he gave me one every other man would expect the same he said there was no man he would feel happier in bearing testimony to and that if ever I would refer to him he would respond with pleasure to the call. I regretted his refusal very much as I know it would be of great service to me at a future day however I cannot say that I have been unfairly dealt with. Mr Roberts wrote to him for the same purpose he refused him also, so you see there was no partiality in the case.
Corpl. Davey is on the point of leaving, as his disease was never totally eradicated and the doctor finally asserted that his removal to a more favourable climate was the only chance he had of ultimate recovery, he is to be off on this day week.2
These are the only incidents connected with the office which have transpired since you last heard from me. Send me word how all at home are and how Emma likes the reading, tell my Mother I’ll dirty her painted room for her at Christmas with the mud of Cork. Remember me to Mr Holden and Mr Mooney,3 has John4 forgotten his philosophy yet? Send me word how Mr M‘Gees and Miss M‘Gees affairs5 stand
farewell | I remain your affectionate Son | John Tyndall
RI MS JT/1/10/3189
LT Transcript Only
Mr Wynne … a month.: This sentence appears only in the transcription of this letter in LT, ‘Biography’, vol. 1, p. 19. Wynne’s next posting was to the island of Zanthe (now called Zakynthos or Zante) in the Ionian Sea, a British protectorate where he served with the 97th Regiment of Foot.
Corpl. Davey … this day week: Although he was due to be transferred earlier, Corporal James Davy left the Irish Survey on 10 October 1840 (NAI OS/1/17).
Mr Mooney: see letter 0008, n. 12.
John: John Mooney.
Mr M‘Gees and Miss M‘Gees affairs: see letter 0004, n. 11.
Please cite as “Tyndall0011,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on 20 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/tyndall/letters/Tyndall0011