To Thomas Archer Hirst¹

Dear Tom

Tomorrow morning I commence work so I cannot choose a better time than the present to write to you – I was in the midst of Magnus’s apparatus today and choose what I wanted – he has placed a nice room at my disposal. So I am likely to be as comfortable in Berlin as a man could possibly wish to be – yesterday I dined with Knoblauch and some scientific friends of his – last night I spent at Poggendorff’s till 12oC –Heinrich Rose and myself occupied the sofa – Dove, Magnus, Riess, Ehrenberg, and Knoblauch were also there – It was a most agreeable evening, and to me most gratifying. Sometimes I sat for half an hour a contented listener to the conversation – anon I found myself drawn into the whirlpool and enjoyed the gush of talk as much as the previous silence – verily Tom I never met with such kind people in my life – today I dined with Magnus – a good nature proceeds from these people which warms a man up like radiant heat. Knoblauch and myself accompanied Magnus to day to a sitting of the Academy² and saw how things are managed there – many celebrated men were present. among the rest Encke & old von Buch whom Emerson mentions³ in one of his essays – Dove had some beautiful experiments to make⁴ and he kindly came and led me over to where his instrument stood and shewed me the whole matter – there is something so hearty and unforced in all their kindness that it must be a mans own fault – his subjectivity must be cross grained if he does not feel pleased and comfortable –

Poor Smith⁵ What will he do? – The intelligence shook me – These possible failures have always made me dread matrimony – but He tempers the wind to the shorn lamb – or perhaps better though not so beautiful, he hardens the lamb to bear the wind⁶ – a wife, a wife, thats a terrible affair but I dare say the fellow has force enough bravely to meet the circumstance – and I cannot but think that London will offer opportunities to such as he, God speed him is all I can say –

Debus wrote to me⁷ about Scheffer⁸ I thought over the matter and laid the letter aside half intending not to write a single word in reply – To M^r Scheffer I am unable to give a word of advice negative or positive – I should be quite willing to assist him if it were in my power – but it is not – The circumstances which have led to Debus & Schnackenberg’s going to England are altogether peculiar⁹ and it would be unwise in M^r Scheffer to suffer their going to have the least influence upon him – In the present case he must just act as if there was no such person as John Tyndall in existence – These words may appear cold and hard but they are nevertheless true and perhaps also necessary.

Your arrangement¹⁰ I believe cannot be altered for the better – I quite fall in with it –

I shall be anxious to hear the result of your bowel experiments,¹¹ may the Gods grant it a favourable issue.

This letter was commenced three days ago – it is now to be finished – I have yet to work, as yet I am merely preparing apparatus Last night I was at a meeting of the socalled Geographical Society¹² – about 200 met in a splendid room – 2 or 3 lectures were delivered by travellers in various positions of the Globe – all the scientific men in Berlin were present – there was a supper afterwards which I dare say for the majority was the principal fact of the evening – I do not say that reproachfully, since the thing is by no means habitual, men of intellect may need a physical stirring up sometimes.

Knoblauch’s father presented me with a ticket for the opera whither I go this evening There is to be something very particular I believe – how emphatically I feel the truth of Emersons assertion that gifts cannot make friends¹³ – it needs a relatedness which all the world could not purchase – I feel myself as remote from Knoblauch as ever¹⁴ – nay more so – for I see the opportunities which he has had here all his life long and what is the result – a reed shaken with the wind! – My stay in Berlin will I believe be chiefly precious to me on account of the glimpses into human character which I obtain here – In certain directions I feel my own strength gathering every day and I make a nearer approach to the practical belief that no man is to be dreaded except by my sufferance. If a man can smother egoism and rely upon himself it is wonderful what a little scrap of knowledge will carry him successfully through. this reliance imparts a certain abandonment and ease to a man which render his words when he speaks agreeable, for why it enables him coolly and unanxiously to look at the matter on which he speaks and he does not fear consequences. Only such a man can be properly polite – He defers to his fellow man but not through fear and therefore his deference is unencumbered, natural, and acceptable.

Knoblauch will carry this letter to you¹⁵ – I dare say you will spend a portion of your time with him during the summer – doubtless you will find him willing to forward you in every way in his power – I would hear his physics again if I were you – and take up a subject for experiments in the long afternoons. As you have already said yourself dive into it anywhere for a readiness of manipulation acquired in the pursuit of any one subject is naturally available to others. In this matter you are yourself the most competent judge

I think to write more would be loss of time – good bye.

J Tyndall

RI MS JT/1/T/1012