From Thomas Charles Higginson   Oct. 1st. 1841.

Gisburne,¹ Oct. 1st. 1841. My dear Tyndall

How can I appologize for not keeping my promise I cannot say in your own mind if he could possibly have written he would the only way left me now to regain that esteem in your mind which I have forfeited is by recounting my adventures since we parted, but I am afraid I have not the ability to do so, it would require the genius of a Tyndall. It was with a sorrowful countenance I parted from my dear friends which was diminished nothing in my journey for the day been wet and I muffled up to the eyes I could do nothing but think of my past happiness which I am afraid will be some time in returning. We arrived in Cork after getting a good wetting at 2 o’clock. Made the best of my way to some place where I might rest my limbs and dry my unfortunate self. Oh tis well for you sitting on your stool caring for neither wind or weather. on Thursday² I made myself look a little decent and determined to make out a certain person if possible. On my way I met Maryanne Kearney,³ to my grief I learned that poor Mrs Foy was gone to be bourne from whence no traveller returnes.⁴ Maryanne said a great deal against Foy’s good nature to Mrs Foy, she said it was a sorrowful day they met him, but what changes there are in this life – after parting with her my sorrow was changed to joy – guess who I met Miss – Miss D.⁵ We walked up Patrick Street, she asked for – I need not tell you who the lad is. I will leave you to guess, you know who sympathised with her parting from Youghal, ay better than I can tell you. After walking and talking for some time we parted to meet no more – we met – we have parted – the pang is now o’er, yet I feel broken-hearted to meet her no more. On Friday morning at 10 o’clock we bade farewell to Cork’s own town – the day was beautiful and the sun shone with all its brightness on the shores of our own dear country, making us curse our stars that we had ever left it. When we were going out at the mouth of the harbour, the waves began to rise and of course the vessel. At the first heave Colder threw his accounts everboard.⁶ I braved the billows laughing at them all until we were about 50 miles on our way, when a stream might be seen issuing out of my mouth about three yards long. When that was over I was quite well for some time but all was over with me before night came on. It was a deck passage⁷ we had, but any person that wished might go between decks, there was no second cabin, I preferred to stay on deck. I sat between three or four women with an umbrella over our heads all night, which was beautiful, scarcely as much wind as would fill the canvass. We arrived in Liverpool on Saturday at half past three in the evening the view of Liverpool coming up the harbour is splendid. After getting my dinner I walked through the town seeking some friends I have there, which happily I found. I was shown all the places which was worth seeing – at night the markets are beautiful, regular promenades, but I must return to Cork. The first night I was in Cork, Ferris⁸ and I went to the play to hear Miss Romer and Mr Wilson singing⁹, they are first rate. On Sunday I spent the day out, dined at 1 o’clock and then went to see every place in the town. I was made a present of some sketches of the principle places in the town. I went to church in the evening; while praying very devoutly with my eyes fixed on a nice girl I was disturbed by the noise of the steam coach¹⁰ going under me, there is a tunnel from the station in Lime Street to Edge Hill one mile and half long.¹¹ On Monday at 2 o’clock we started from Liverpool to Manchester¹² 30 miles through a beautiful country the fare is 2s. 9d. I had time to go see my uncle in Manchester he gave me Comstock’s Natural Philosophy¹³ The same day we started for Hibden Bridge¹⁴ the fare is 2s. 3d. About half way we went through a tunnel 3 miles long¹⁵ I thought I would never get out of it it is a curious thing that I scarcely saw any red fields all green which makes it very pleasant for us. Hibden Bridge is a nice village, I slept in it one night in a very good inn which would be called an hotel in Ireland, and all I was charged was 3 pence for my bed. Every house is neat and clean. On Tuesday I went to Skipton, 21 miles, through Keighly which is half way the country all round was very hilly, Lieut. James¹⁶ has taken an office in Skipton I am changed from your Division to Lieut. Stace’s, Moran and Early¹⁷ is with me. I applied to get back to my own Division, but could not, as Mr Stace’s was so small. I think Colder will do some thing for me yet, Skipton is a nice town – the Earl of Thanet has a beautiful castle at the end of the town. The town is full of Inns which are the only places for a person to stop in. It is also very cheap, I could get my diet there for 9s. 6d. per week Lieut. James has his own party in Skipton, Mr Fenwick is in Grassington, 11 miles north of Skipton, and we are 11 miles west – the country about this town is very thick with trees. There is no word about the big pay yet. I think it will begin from the first of this month. I have no more to say about the journey. I hope Tidmarsh did not injure any of the Yankees opposite,¹⁸ or that Ginty did not hurt their bellies with his stick. Poor things how they flutter. Now Tyndall take my advice and don’t go too far with the joke with a certain person down Street, you know I heard enough about it before I left you. Remember me affectionately to Ginty, Jim, Tid,¹⁹ Cuddy, Mr Chadwick the last not least George²⁰ tell him I will write to him in a day or two

Your ever attached friend | Harold²¹

RI MS JT/1/11/3730

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