To John Tyndall, Snr   Sunday evening, (May 2nd, 1841.)

Youghal, Sunday¹ evening

My dear Father

I received yours of the 30th² on last night. I was just after returning after taking a walk with Cuddy up the Blackwater.³ As I entered the room I was agreeably surprised to find a letter from Mr Conwill⁴ for me on the table, this brings me in debt to both you and him, and as I think one creditor in the line of correspondence quite enough, I hasten to discharge your bill. You are astray in your conjectures respecting my being engaged in controversy. I admit that I am a little immersed in it,⁵ but not in the manner which you imagine. As I stated in my last letter⁶ you shall hear the whole account from myself shortly. Why the names of the authors which you advise me to procure would in themselves act either as a spell in paralyzing the efforts of an opponent, or perhaps on the contrary would act the part of an African tornado in hurling the puny batteries of the man of sin and in ruin to the ground. I have considered Challoner’s proofs⁷ very calmly and I think in an unbiased manner. They only prove that a man may be a Newton in either the political or mathematical world and still be a child in the ways of religion. Surely if ever the apostle Paul’s prediction⁸ was fulfilled it is in such men as Challoner. His talent must be admitted but ‘God has sent him strong delusion that he should believe a lie.’⁹ I’m sure if it was possible for his shade to look on me at present it would frown indignation at my presumption. To see the opinions of his mitred majesty impugned by a stripling is strange and passing strange. Mr Conwill’s letter contains no small share of invective against my unfortunate grammatical opponent. He is not however deserving of it all. He tells me he is quite recovered, this I am extremely glad to hear.

I regret much to find that Ned Styles has lost the loan fund;¹⁰ poor man, he must have an aching heart at finding himself the victim of his children’s misconduct. My opinion of John¹¹ was never very high but indeed from what I have heard from you he is even worse than I conceived him to be his father made a spoiled child of him – was it because you checked John that he and you fell out?

I fully admit the wisdom of your remark respecting my time being employed in something more useful than controversy – though it must be admitted that every man ought to be able to produce a reason for his belief. You may depend on it that it is with reluctance I enter the field I act in full conformity with your advice that is I act on the defensive.

I am extremely glad to find that you are all well give my love to my Mother and Emma

Good evening | I remain Your affectionate son | John Tyndall

RI MS JT/1/10/3220

LT Transcript Only