To John Tyndall, Snr   Monday night, (March 23rd. 1841.)

Youghal, | Monday¹ night

My dear Father

I was just sitting down this time last night in order to answer your letter, when I suddenly recollected that I had not fulfilled your request respecting Wm Heydon.² This caused me of course to lay pen and ink aside and defer writing till this evening. I brought your letter with me this morning to the office and after calling him out of his room read that part which related to himself. I said a good deal to him. I plainly told him that he possessed not one of the feelings of a child. He made not a word of answer and so I left him without requesting him to make any promise of future amendment. This I thought would have more effect at another time; accordingly when leaving the office this evening I called him aside and asked him what answer I would send to you respecting him. I asked him how much he was able to save in the week; he told me, and after some time he promised to be a good boy in the future and save all he could for his father. Being afraid that he might not be able to keep his resolution, especially when surrounded by a parcel of young lads like himself, I adopted the following plan – I’m to see him paid every Saturday night³ and then on the spot he is to deposit three shillings each week in my hands. When it amounts to anything worth while I’ll send it to his father. He cannot begin to save until next Saturday week, <word(s) missing> having a scale to pay for this week. So I have done all in my power with him.

I think you must have formed some very erroneous notion respecting my appetite – why I cant finish a fourpenny⁴ all out at a time; surely I don’t deserve to be called a Cormorant for that. However I’m half starved to night. Tidmarsh has turned messman,⁵ vice Evans, he has most extravagant notions of economy and the moment he assumed the functions of his new office he drew up a declaration and made us sign it, this made us promise that we are to pay implicit obedience to him and never murmur against any measures adopted by him. The consequence of all this is that he has made out a bill of fare in which I must confess the luxuries of life are excluded, one article in it is in the shape of a postscript in which the use of bread is totally prohibited. But I intend to take a copy of this document and exhibit it to you in Leighlin when I go there. It’s well for us that he will remain in office no longer than one week.

I’ll match my uncle Caleb for not inviting me to the Christening.⁶ I was usually a guest on such occasions. Surely the hop-step and leap that separates us could not prevent him from sending Emma or Billy over to Youghal to invite me. I’ll give him a tongue thrashing when I go to Carlow.

Emma owes me a letter she need not think of getting over writing it, if I don’t get what’s justly due by fair means I must by foul I’ll process her and bring her to the Mall house⁷ if she does not pay me my just and lawful due – tell her to answer my questions relative to the Bagnalstown people.⁸

The only part of your last letter that I dislike was the postscript, this informed me that you were not well in writing it. Avoid getting cold. I hope however you will need no other doctor than my mother to cure you. I’m extremely glad to hear that she is still able to bounce up stairs.

I was out in the country the whole of Friday and Saturday. I was sent by Lieut Whittingham to seek information respecting the boundaries of gentleman’s demesnes.⁹ I visited my old host¹⁰ while I was out, he informed me that Wm Murray had slept a night there (i.e. in Mount Uniacke) since I left it.

I’m working away at the drawing in the office and altho’ I was a year without any practice still I think that my plans at present are as highly esteemed as those of any other person in the office. Collins and I work in the one room I believe there never was a man on the Survey that he was so obliging to as he is to me we’re as great as two brothers. An angry word never drops between us.

We had no display of ‘de boys’ here on Patricks day.¹¹ I suppose Jim Walsh formed one of the glorious band that got themselves ducked marching through Leighlin, if we could take the will for the deed I’d stake a day’s pay that many among those very lads should plead guilty to the charge of intoxication.¹² I’ll engage more than one of them wished to have a ‘Johnny’ on his tongue¹³ when the gentle influence of a March shower had damped their overalls

Warmet¹⁴ won’t disappoint you in this

Good night | Your affectionate son | John Tyndall

RI MS JT/1/10/3215–6

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