From John Tyndall, Snr   Oct. 30th. 1841.

Leighlin Bridge | Oct. 30th. 1841.

My dear John

I received your letter of the 26th instant1 and in it a second tirade of humbugging. You ask me whether it was myself or your letter that passed through the Counties Kildare and Queens. You know well my meaning, therefore the crime you are guilty of will not be forgiven without sincere repentance. You ask me why I did not answer the question about the poetry that appeared in the Carlow Sentinel of Saturday week.2 I forgot to do so, not having the letter with me at the time, as Mr Conwill took it in a mistake a few nights before, and he a little tipsy, but sent it back the next day. But to come to the point, I did see the poetry, and admired it because it was exceedingly well done. And Emma read it also. And witness her sagacity, when after reading it she said it was you composed it. I had very strong suspicions that you were the person, as Tim Hennessey Esqr. and young O’Neill were mentioned. But I have full confirmation that you were the author from Bill Tyndall who was here from Carlow last night. As he was passing Mr Malcomson’s house in Carlow the other day, Mr Malcomson3 called him in and asked him had he any one belonging to him in Kinsale. He told him he had a nephew. He then asked him your age He told him about 18 years.4 He then said that you were uncommonly talented and desired Bill to write to you and let you know that he would be glad to receive communications from you and that his paper should be at your command.

I am just after reading this day’s Sentinel and in it a piece headed original poetry Carlow,5 which I think is your production also. Its beautifully done. I would be glad to see such productions from you often, because it will not only improve your mind but also bring you into notice. It fills my heart with gladness to find I have a son able to perform the like and though you were often not pleased with my surly looks still I did not neglect the main point – I mean with regard to your education and the only thing that prevented you from going through the degrees of college was my poverty, however <rest of letter missing>

RI MS JT/1/10/3251

LT Transcript Only

1

your letter of the 26th instant: letter 0105.

2

the poetry … Saturday week: ‘The Leighlin “Orators” – or, the Late Repeal Meeting’ published in CS, 16 October 1841, p. [3]; see letter 0101.

3

Mr Malcomson: Henry Malcomson (c. 1796–1843), proprietor and publisher of the Carlow Sentinel.

4

about 18 years: As Tyndall’s birth certificate is missing, most accounts give his year of birth as 1820, which would make him 21 at the time of this letter. This estimate by his uncle William suggests that he may have been younger. However, his uncle would not have seen Tyndall for about 18 months.

5

a piece headed original poetry Carlow: CS, 30 October 1841, p. [3]; see letter 0106.

Please cite as “Tyndall0108,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on 2 May 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/tyndall/letters/Tyndall0108