To John Tyndall, Snr   Nov. 17th, 1840.

Youghal | Nov. 17th, 1840.

My dear Father

It is not because I have any particular news to communicate that I at present write to you, it is something concerning the election that I would wish to say to you. I have been told that Col. Bruen has been opposed by a Mr Ponsonby from the Co. Kildare.1 I have also heard that there is every prospect of Col. Bruen’s return and that the election wont last longer than two days at the furthest, if this be the case it would be mere loss of time on my part, even if employment was certain, to go to Carlow;2 however this does not lesson my gratitude to my friends there one whit, to Mrs Steuart I feel extremely obliged, her kindness shall not be easily forgotten.

I hope you received the desired information respecting Mr Read’s residence,3 for fear the communication might have been mislaid I will here repeat it – he lives at Mr M’Mahon’s North Main Street.

Nothing particular has happened since you last heard from me. I enjoy excellent health, three of the members of my family4 have just departed to the field so that it is now reduced to its pristine number I’m not sorry for this movement as it will afford me an opportunity of studying during the long winter’s nights which would be impossible if things had continued as they were.

I received a letter from Corporal Davey lately he is employed at the Ordnance Works of Woolwich5 along with Newton the Sapper6 who left us in Leighlin, from the tone of his letter I could gather that he would prefer being amongst us at present to his situation in England. Be so good as to let me have your opinion respecting the election if you think that it wont last more than two days I think it would not be judicious to continue your efforts to get me employment. When you next write send me word how my Mother is you seem to forget her totally in all your epistles and in so doing you forget that which would be most interesting to me, tell Emma she may expect a letter from me one or two days after you receive this.

I remain your affectionate son | John Tyndall

RI MS JT/1/10/3195

LT Transcript Only

1

a Mr Ponsonby from the Co. Kildare: The Hon. Frederick George Brabazon Ponsonby, whose family owned the Bishop’s Court Estate, County Kildare.

2

mere loss of time … to Carlow: Tyndall’s father had suggested that he be ‘employed as a writer during the contest’ (letter 0019).

3

information respecting Mr Read’s residence: see letters 0019 and 0022.

4

three of the members of my family: Tyndall shared accommodation with Evans, Ginty and Tidmarsh.

5

the Ordnance Works of Woolwich: The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, had been established in 1671 and was the main site in London for the development, manufacture and testing of ordnance. The barracks of the Royal Sappers and Miners was located close to the Arsenal. Davy’s letter is missing.

6

Newton the Sapper: James W. Newton, a private in the 13th Company of Royal Sappers and Miners, joined the Survey in February 1834 and worked in the 5th Division, C District under Lieutenant Wynne. In August 1839 he was transferred to the Survey’s head office at Mountjoy, Dublin (NAI OS/1/14–16).

Please cite as “Tyndall0023,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on 25 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/tyndall/letters/Tyndall0023