To Thomas Archer Hirst   24th April 1851

Beim Hrn. de Baux | Dorotheen Strasse 95. Berlin | 24^th April 1851

My dear Tom.

I had a kind of presentiment as I delivered my chest at the railway station that all would not be right – it was the first time I ever allowed my luggage to escape my own vigilance and it will probably be the last – Here I have been since last monday night not able to make use of the precious time which flies by me on account of my chest not having come. I have been half a dozen times at the Railway station to inquire about it and have just returned from my last trip but have got no intelligence. will you go to the parcel expedition and enquire about it for me – The clerk – a little short fellow wrote the ‘Frachtbrief’¹ himself and assured me that the chest would be here on monday evening – it is now thursday – I had a good journey on monday did not feel much tired. had a glorious sunset and a magnificent rainbow. had my pass examined at the Railway station and was allowed to proceed. Climbed into a Droschke² with two other travellers and drove to Töpfer’s Hotel – Here I stopped the night – had a capital bedroom and a sitting room adjacent – Up next morning and set out in quest of lodgings, visited first of all those which had been recommended to me but found them either occupied or unsuitable. I examined about a score of them ranging from 6 to 14 Thalers a month and towards evening decided on my present one for which I pay 8 Thalers. It is clean and comfortable enough. My host is a painter, a nice frenchified little man who has a rare predilection for painting war pieces³ the actors in the scene being however most sleepy looking rascals, appearing to set about their work with the most mechanical deliberation possible – Berlin is a fine town and were it not that dreams and shadows of my absent chest hover perpetually about my mind I dare say the impression of it would have been agreeable enough There are some fine monuments and fine buildings – yesterday evening I enjoyed a walk to the post office very much, or rather a walk home again – In crossing the Schlossplatz⁴ I looked up at the clear silent sky with its glancing stars, the figures and turrets relieved against the firmament – all seemed chaste beautiful and inspiriting. There’s one fine street in particular. thro the centre runs an avenue or avenues of linden trees, the shade of which is doubtless needed in summer. I have bought a number of tickets for the Cafe de Belvidere – 5 for a thaler and each of these ensures me a dinner – today however I had a slice of blackbread and wurst and a quaff of Bavarian beer in my lodgings – this will doubtless be the case often. I sent a note to Knoblauch yesterday evening – he has been just with me and we have talked for half an hour together. he will return in a week or so and then give you the Tragheit’s moment⁵ of his magnet. Right opposite to the seat I occupy is a picture of two ladies. one drawing and the other leaning on her shoulder – they are like all M. de Baux paintings, colour enough – but no soul – they are flat stale and unprofitable – at my left is a lady intended to be very contrite – but she is too fat. there is no elevation in her sorrow, her grief is altogether a matter of blubber! There are 3 chairs in my room and a sopha. three tables on one of which my coffee is placed in the morning, on the other a decanter of water and a glass, and on the third I write – I attempted to do something at writing a short memoir for the British Association⁶ yesterday but the noise of the town simmered so in my brain that I could produce only a disjointed affair – today it is better and doubtless after a little time the annoyance will totally disappear. I am well pleased with my lodging, they appear to be quiet unobtrusive people and procure whatever I require with sufficient alacrity. I miss my old tub in the morning very much and am obliged to content myself with a wash after your fashion. There is a [fine] stove in my room but what’s the use of it when one cant have the pleasure of heating it – The privy is vile – it is the only thing to which I have any objection. I have remained very much within doors today, having merely walked to the railway station and back – The carrying of this letter to the post will afford me an additional half hour’s occupation and if I meet a likely place I shall be tempted to step in and take a cup of chocolate – Knoblauch tells me every lady is expecting me⁷ – I would prefer an [undercurrent] of life to this notoriety. I hate to do any thing when any thing is expected – What nobody expects is my own pure act and is not influenced by the probable opinion of others⁸ – however I must content myself with circumstances and shall doubtless do so with sufficient comfort to myself. Remember me sweetly to all my Marburg friends – say to the walls of the old castle⁹ that I have got a Daguerrotype portrait of them in my heart. to Spiegel[s] Lust and Augustin Ruhe¹⁰ that I feel their foliage budding – I greet the church spires and the maidens – bless that little Sophy Bauer¹¹ for the last kind smile she gave me – bless them all, may they be happy and joyous as Westphalian larks – with their hearts full of everlasting melodies – Love to Noll, to Carl.¹² to Heinrich¹³ if he be there. greet D^r Kohlrausch for me when you see him – I will send him a note when my brain settles. May god’s grace attend you boy and keep your heart firm and faithful – Tyndall.

Herrn Thomas Hirst | Marburg | Kurhessen¹⁴

RI MS JT/1/T/538