To John Tyndall, Snr   Sunday morning, (Nov. 28th 1841.)

Kinsale, Sunday¹ morning

My dear Father

In the postscript to your last letter² you requested me to write to you immediately, this injunction I should have attended to had I not been waiting for the result of an application which I had made respecting my getting leave at Christmas. We were all bustle last week, preparing for the reception of Major Waters, our District Superintendent, and Col. Colby the Superintendent of the Ordnance Survey (I should have put his name first, but no matter). We received intelligence from Cork that they would certainly be here on either Wednesday or Thursday last. I had a written application placed in the hands of Sergt. Carey who has charge here. In it I requested him to use his influence with Major Waters on my behalf. He promised to lay it before the Major when he came, but we were disappointed in our expectation, neither Col. nor Major has made his appearance here. Be that as it may, I intend forwarding my application to Cork this week. I have every reason to hope that it will be granted.

My little family was on the point of being divided. Last week we were near losing poor Evans. Start not – I don’t mean to say he was going to kick the bucket, but he was put down as one of a party who are going to England on the 11th of next month. His name was forwarded to Major Waters along with several others. I believe the Major objected to sending draughtsmen away and Sergeant Carey told Evans the other day that ‘the probability was that he would not go’ I am extremely glad of this. Phil³ and I have weathered the gale for a long time together and it would cost us a pang to part. Phil however is not idle. He is at present in the field looking out for something more substantial than the Survey. So you tell me the die is cast and Emma Tyndall married.⁴ I would have given a good deal to be present on the occasion. It would have been glorious to see me stuck to some auld horse’s tail lashing away with might and main.⁵ I hope however to see her happy at Christmas.

A fortnight ago Cuddy and I had it laid out to get leave together he to go to Tyrrell’s Pass⁶ and I to Leighlin. We intended to take the packet from Cork and go by Dublin.⁷ On calculation I found this to be the cheapest way of travelling. But unfortunately our schemes were all abortive. Cuddy forms one of the party which proceeds to England, so that in the event of my getting leave I intend to coach it, instead of sailing to Dublin and thence by the flyboat⁸ &c. home.

You shewed your prudence by not going to the wedding when you apprehended such fatal circumstances;⁹ but I know how I’d act myself had I been in your place. I received the Sentinel you sent me for which I thank both you and my uncle Caleb

Your affectionate son | John Tyndall.

RI MS JT/1/10/3256

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