From Thomas Charles Higginson   January 28th. 1843.

January 28th. 1843.

My dear Tyndall

When I left England I thought I had a friend in Mr Tyndall whom neither time nor space could change. I am afraid I have been deceived. I hope I have not but it looks very like it not to have received any letters during the time I have been in this country.¹ I must acknowledge that when I was leaving England I wrote you a letter stating that when I arrived here I would write to you via Leighlin Bridge,² but I then considered it better to delay doing so until I heard from you as there are so many Tyndalls there it might not have reached you. I am afraid nothing you can say in extenuation of your crime can erase the bad impression which is fixed in my mind. Mind you, although I have lost – (unconscious of the cause) the space in your affection which I flatter myself I once occupied, still the memory of the friendship which did exist between us can never be obliterated from my memory and, although years may pass without the pleasure of my seeing you, although it may not be mutual, still I think (although it might give pain to write me a letter now and again) you should suffer that much for old friendship’s sake. I did not think Tyndall capable of such a thought as ‘Oh he is now an officer what does he care about corresponding with me’ Such things ought to be above the thoughts of John Tyndall and especially of me. I would have written this by the last Mail but was attacked with fever – I do not know what news to send that would interest you – The war for which we were sent out here³ is all settled and here we will remain for three years. On our arrival here we lost 28 men by cholera I also got it but, thank God, soon recovered. To a European this place⁴ looked very curious. The officers bungalows are built in a line only one story high, with gardens of about an acre each round them. The native city at a short distance cannot be seen the houses are so small, being just like mud cabins in Ireland, and so closely planted with trees that it has the appearance of a wood. The climate of the place is delightful for half the year, the nights are so cool that we are very glad to put on as much clothing as possible and in the day time except out in the heat of the sun I wear cloth trowsers. What do you think, I met Wm. Brunnan⁵ that was discharged from the Survey in Middleton⁶ at the time of the reduction; here he is enlisted in the company’s service.⁷ I just met him by chance being at a court martial he conducted a prisoner to it – George Holmes in his last letter told me you were in Skipton⁸ so I will direct this there. I dare say you won’t be sorry to hear that I am pretty well off here. I have £18 per month. I am studying very hard the Hindoostanae language.⁹ I am now only 5 months at it and can speak it fluently. I will pass an examination in May, and then I will have £10 a month more as Interpreter of our Regt.¹⁰ Remember me to Jim, Tid,¹¹ Ginty, Cuddy and all the old friends I had on the Survey

Your ever affectionate but neglected | friend T.C. Higginson

P.S. I am sorry I cannot pay the postage here

RI MS JT 1/11/3733

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