To John Tyndall, Snr   Tuesday night, Aug. 10h, 1842.

Preston, Tuesday night | Aug. 10th, 1842.¹

My dear Father

Having borne the tossing of the sea, the noise of the seaport, and the whirlwind motion of the steam coach,² with the fortitude and patience of a Kerry pony,³ I now sit comfortably down to a comfortable little table situated in a most comfortable little room and in the most comfortable manner possible commence a letter to you. I have no less I’m sure than a dozen expectants on my list, but your claim to an epistle supersedes all others therefore you are the first that I shall write to.

After the bustle which took place previous to our departure from Cork, I felt happy when, relieved from care, I found myself pacing the deck of the ocean steamer⁴ as she swept majestically down the Lee. We passed Cove⁵ on our way and soon found ourselves at the mouth of the harbour shaded by the frown of Carlisle and Camden forts,⁶ the former standing on the left the latter on the right. Here the sea was pretty rough, it having blown freshly in the former part of the day. Before I started I could not help picturing to myself a dozen unfortunates retching their very bowels out in unison with the lurching vessel. Among the group I in imagination placed myself, and indeed, thought I, if my fancy picture the thing truly, I’ll certainly cut a most interesting figure The picture however had nothing in reality to corroborate it. I got over without a single qualm. We are quite unable to appreciate the comforts of life until we have been deprived of them. I proved this on Friday night. I would think as much hay as a donkey would take in his mouth a luxury. I paced the deck of the vessel nearly the whole night, sometimes I’d throw myself on a coil of ropes and lie for half an hour when the fresh cold blast would rouse me up again to keep my blood in circulation by walking. Things however went on comparatively well. We had a fine starlight night. I amused myself sometimes for an hour together stargazing. On the next day we came in sight of the coast of Wales, along which we bore. We could see the Snowdon hills rising far to the right. At 8 o’clock that evening we arrived in that modern Babel⁷ Liverpool, met Ginty on the quay, and were conducted by him to comfortable lodgings. On yesterday⁸ at 11 o’clock we received orders to be at the railway station at ¼ before 5 o’clock. We were there, and started for Preston.⁹ Tell my mother that she can hardly imagine the delight I experienced in travelling steam coach rate. It’s extremely pleasant. We met Evans at the railway terminus.¹⁰ He had a good dinner prepared for us, after which I went in quest of lodgings – there not being room in his lodgings for myself and two more who were determined not to separate. I shall only add that we procured very comfortable ones. In my next I’ll go into further detail.

Good bye | Your affectionate son | John.

Remember me to Mr Conwill.

RI MS JT 1/10/3278

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