To John Tyndall, Snr   Friday night, (Nov. 20th, 1841)

Kinsale, | Friday night¹

My dear Father,

Tho’ it is now pretty late, I consider this a favourable opportunity for writing to you. If I am a little drowsy, I have one comfort and that is I am undisturbed by the fly that was tormenting me a few minutes ago. In one corner of the room stands Evans, scarcely able to drag his jacket off his back with downright laziness, and ever and anon stretching his mouth to an amazing capacity as yawn after yawn gurgles in his throat. In another corner stands Tidmarsh in his shirt scratching himself, this he considers as one of the greatest luxuries on earth – while in the middle sits your son with his back to the dying embers of what was once a good fire scribbling away as fast as his pen can go

The old proverb says that miracles will never cease.² This is verified every day; the news of Tom Magwire’s³ turning protestant or Dan O’Connell⁴ conservative could not have surprised me more than the intelligence of my cousin Emma’s intended marriage. Egad⁵ she intends to make early work of it! Be that as it may, she has my best wishes for her welfare. My prayer is that every day may add to her store of happiness. I don’t know Mr Young,⁶ but I’m told that he is a fine young fellow, and holds a capital farm.

I’m sorry to hear that the seeds of strife have not yet been rooted out of Leighlin. When I see John Mooney I’ll talk to him in the language of a poet.

You have asked me will I go home at Christmas I received your letter in the evening of some day this week. Well, in the morning of that day I was speaking to Sergeant Carey – our present Superintendant – about getting a month’s leave. He told me that he thought I could get it. So that I think you may expect to see me demolishing a whole goose or something like it in Leighlin on Christmas day. No exertion shall be wanting on my part to bring this about, and I have every reason to expect that my wish will be obtained. I have a good notion of becoming teatotaler,⁷ as I fear my Leighlin friends will be inclined to make me tipsy thro’ pure goodnature. I’m extremely sorry that I am not at home for Emma’s wedding. Och if I was there, I’d caper ‘the humours of Glin’⁸ in prime style. I made an attempt once at going through the figure of eight.⁹ Mind it was a first attempt. Judge then of your son’s amazing talent at this business. I went within one of the number – I made a perfect nine of it. Was not that a good offer

You spoke of my last production in your letter. If you had not spoken of it I would not have known that it got inserted, as I have not got the paper. If you could by any means get it for me I would be thankful to you. Ask Billy Tyndall¹⁰ could he make it out. I know if he can he’ll forage it out for me. How did he know that the poetry was mine? Mind I dont put half the heading to these pieces that you see to them. I merely put: ‘The Testimonial’ as a heading. The words ‘Original Poetry for the Carlow Sentinel’ were put in by the editor himself.¹¹ I’m glad to find this, as it shews that they don’t consider it unworthy of their notice. I’ll have another piece to send next week. My pen refuses to do any more for me. I am monstrous sleepy.

good night | Your affectionate son | Jack

Tell my mother that I eat a most enormous mess¹² of bacon and cabbage for dinner to day. When will parliament meet? When will the Col.¹³ be home? Do you think he’ll be at home at Christmas? I was talking to John O’Neill the other night about different situations. He says one in the bank of Ireland would be first rate after a little time. Mind I dont mention this on account of any anxiety I feel to leave my present situation, only to give you a greater scope should you be speaking to any of the gentlemen. To fill this however I should have good bail.

RI MS JT/1/10/3254–5

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