To Thomas Archer Hirst   2nd June 1848

Queenwood, 2^nd June 1848.

My Dear Boys –

I am sorry to break in rudely upon your anticipations – I did promise myself the pleasure of seeing you at midsummer, and believe me the word ‘pleasure’ is not used in its conventional sense, but I find that this is now impracticable – I intend to spend 5 weeks among the republicans of Paris¹ – I have improved very much lately in French conversation and to extend my knowledge in this particular will seize upon the present opportunity – with regard to the chemicals I dare say you would like to perform some pretty experiments. Mind however a knowledge of chemistry is not to be got by such experiments

if there be any course indicated by the lectures you have heard which you would like to pursue, I shall be glad to lend you all the assistance in my power – if you would wish merely to make oxygen, hydrogen, explode soap bubbles, cause sulphur to detonate and kick up sundry rows, I will point out what apparatus you will require – [6/.] will go a good way upon these matters as the substances we use at first are cheap – I will answer Tom’s questions² to the best of my ability when I have a little more time. I am at present getting up half a dozen maps for the lads to take home at midsummer and this absorbs all my time – if Jimmy³ has patience with the 2^nd book⁴ he will trample its difficulties under foot – if I were near him I would gladly make his track more smooth but it will be better for himself if he can get through it without assistance

Believe me my dear Tom & Jemmy | most sincerely yours | J. Tyndall

Tom’s remarks as to the necessity of modesty are quite correct but Hudibras⁵ says

all smatterers are more brisk and pert

Than they which understand an art

As little sparkles shine more bright

Than glowing coals which give them light⁶

and I feel satisfied that the man young or old who manfully wrestles with a difficulty will be more truly humble than he who accepts another man’s solution – the very fact of his applying himself to the naked case argues a free enquiring spirit, to such a one nature is full of unanswerable problems, and comparing his actual state with his ideal – what he is with what he might be, he is effectually prevented from being puffed up – however the lecture has a special object in view which if Tom was aware of it would clear up the matter to his satisfaction –

RI MS JT/1/HTYP/8

RI MS JT/1/T/515