To John Tyndall, Snr   Oct. 7th, 1840.

Youghal | Oct. 7th, 1840.

My dear Father

You may see by the date of this that I lose no time in answering your letter of the 5th.1 You prognosticated right when you judged of the good state of my health from the superscription of my last letter, I was indeed both stout and strong – able to demolish nearly the whole of a threepenny loaf2 every morning. I am not at all dismayed on account of Mr. Wynne’s refusal I certainly would hold a character3 from him a valuable document and I am sure a useful one but as he thought proper not to give it it gives me no uneasiness. Before I proceed further I must thank you for the cordial manner in which you told me that I had a home to return to in the event of dismissal no such thing I hope is going to occur the alterations I spoke of merely effected the work but had nothing to do with individuals.

I am extremely sorry to hear of the continued embarrassment of Mr M‘Gees’ affairs4 it certainly grieves me to hear of the sad change which has taken place. Mrs M‘Gee I fear will find all her philosophy necessary to support her under the transition.

I have read with feelings of disgust the intention of Foley (I had almost said Fooly) & co to offer themselves as candidates for the office of poorlaw guardians5 in opposition to such men as Captain Steuart.

‘Whose station poised above the vulgar herd

Looks down on jarring parties undeterred.’6

When I see such stumps of upstart dignity standing forward and with brazen impudence opposing men who are as much superior to them as the midnight moon to the yelping of the shephard’s cur,7 I already see in anticipation the tragedy of Robespierre acted over again when everything great and noble was made to bend before the withering Simoon of democratic tyranny.8 I feel extremely grateful to Mr and Mrs Steuart and the Dean9 for the interest they take in my welfare. It shall be my highest ambition to preserve that good opinion which I think I may flatter myself they have already conceived concerning me.

Corpl. Davey leaves us on tomorrow10 his health has been much improved of late but he tells me that even were he quite recovered he would prefer leaving the Survey.

You know Ginty who left the office in Leighlin to go to England, he has returned to us.11

I am glad to hear that all my friends are well especially my Mother and Emma tell Emma she may expect to hear from me shortly

Farewell | I remain your affectionate son | John Tyndall

RI MS JT/1/10/3191

LT Transcript Only

your letter of the 5th: letter 0013, in which a number of the issues raised in the present letter were introduced.

a threepenny loaf: a substantial loaf of bread; see letters 0053, n. 3 and 0062, n. 2.

character: character reference; the testimonial mentioned in letter 0011.

Mr M’Gees’ affairs: see letter 0004, n. 10.

Foley … poorlaw guardians: See letter 0013. Foley was unsuccessful but the other two Liberals were appointed Poor Law Guardians (CS, 17 October, p. [3]).

Whose station … undeterred: This couplet appears to have been composed by Tyndall.

shephard’s cur: sheepdog.

tragedy of Robespierre … democratic tyranny: Maximilien Robespierre (1758–94) was the main proponent of the Reign of Terror that began officially on 5 September 1793 and swept through France claiming numerous lives. It was implemented in order to bring social justice by means of the Revolution. However, in a speech before the Convention on 26 July 1794 Robespierre defended himself against the charge of dictatorship and accused members of the Convention of conspiracy. Unable to substantiate this claim, the Convention ordered his arrest and he was executed two days later. A simoom is a strong, dry, dust-laden wind.

the Dean: Dean Richard Barnard.

Corpl. Davey leaves us on tomorrow: Davey departed two days later on 10 October.

Ginty … returned to us: William Ginty had left the Irish Survey in the spring of 1839 (to join the Tithe Survey in England, which attracted a number of Irish surveyors owing to better pay) but rejoined on 7 October 1840 with a salary of 2s. a day.

Please cite as “Tyndall0014,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on 29 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/tyndall/letters/Tyndall0014