Sunday night 7 o’clock | Dec. 20th 1840.
My dear John
I flatter myself that you will forgive me all my offences when I tell you it is out of a sick bed that I am addressing you labouring under the effects of a severe cold. Your good nature will I am sure excuse the numerous defects of this scrawl. The charge of suffering absence to obliterate your idea from my mind is one to which I plead not guilty – if you knew the disposition that I am of you would not accuse me of forgetting an old friend – the very name carries with it a recommendation and believe me your friendship, far from being unrequited, is returned with interest and one that I shall always be proud to acknowledge. You say that some gay scenes occupy my hours I will answer you in the words of an old ballad:–
And tho’ I mingle ’mid the throng
Where pleasure twines her wreaths of flowers
I cannot sing the same light song
I used to sing in happier hours.1
You will perhaps think me a romantic fool – I own that I am partial to the spirit – I think you are romantic yourself – if that is the case, you will pardon me introducing poetry. As a correspondent I fear that I am not calculated to shine. Your goodness will overlook the many faults that are in my epistles. I have no news strange or uncommon to communicate The <word missing> at the Friary2 are quite well and your favourite3 as charming as ever – you knew who I know. I must now draw to a conclusion, however I must not omit giving you a long list of loves My mother, Ann McGhee, Emma, Miss Cummins and Bridget4 desire their compliments
And now farewell
Your sincere friend and wellwisher | Maria Payne | Bagnalstown.
RI MS JT/1/11/3839
LT Transcript Only
And tho’ … happier hours: third stanza of ‘Ballad’ by B. H. G., Dublin University Magazine, 3 (1834), p. 123.
the Friary: The first monastery established in Ireland by the Carmelites was at Leighlin Bridge in 1271. In the seventeenth century the Carmelites were evicted by Sir Richard Bellingham, but in 1730 the Leighlin Friary was rebuilt on the outskirts of Leighlin Bridge on a site overlooking the River Barrow. By the time this letter was written the Friary was owned by James Thomas, whose family was wealthy and influential.
your favourite: possibly Ellen Wall or ‘Jane’ mentioned in letter 0033.
Bridget: Bridget Cummins.
Please cite as “Tyndall0029,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/tyndall/letters/Tyndall0029