From Thomas Archer Hirst   Sunday Evening. Dec. 7th¹

Sunday Evening. Dec. 7^th | Marburg –

I found myself inwardly rejoicing this morning that there was a prospect of our soon talking face to face,² it was but a gleam of sunshine however, for a cloud soon hunted it over the meadow land of my thoughts when I remembered it would be our last meeting probably for a long period. That Australian Cloud, John looks gloomy to me in spite of my effort to believe that there is the sun still shining behind it. The point of intersection of our Earthly orbits is once more at hand however and I hail it; for such to me are the mile posts in my life journey, since we last met I have lived enjoyed and suffered, and the brief moment allowed us seems almost too fleeting to chalk off the old score and begin another reckoning. I thought of innumerable things that would have to be canvassed & interchanged, yet probably when you get here I shall find myself dumb.

Sabine’s letter³ was a cheering one to me but it would have been more so if instead of deploring Englands loss by your departure he had held out some prospect of a worthy situation in England – To that last straw I yet cling – The position you have undoubtedly gained in the Scientific World ought and would inevitably reward you with a suitable situation. Backed by the influence of such men as have sent you testimonials you would not have long to wait for preferment I feel sure. However if the Gods have told you to go to Toronto or Australia then I too will say go and may Gods blessing follow you (and if it seem to Him good bring you back again) I will not utter a syllable of complaint. Of the two I prefer the Australian project, it appears a liberally conceived one,⁴ and you would remain still in closer connexion with England than if you went to Toronto which I cannot help picturing to myself as deep in the back woods & primeval forests of the world inhabited chiefly by Buffalos and red Indians – The thought struck me too that without your intervention destiny may be about once more to throw you and Jack Tidmarsh together. You will find in him if I mistake not a different man to the one who bore that name in Halifax. Such freaks of Destiny preach to us a doctrine of anti-despondency. After years sojourning together Jack and you seemed at last separated for good, but it seems it was not so to be. Poor little Knoblauch who has been to see me to day, is also sorry that you are going. but principally because you are going before next April when he will be married & could have entertained you; as a householder. The little fellow is head over heels in Love, works continually with a Photographic picture of his Angel under his nose and I solemnly believe when our backs are turned caresses it and falls down in worship before his fair Idol. His first word to me on his return from England was that he had ‘verlobt’⁵ himself, and in all our meetings since she has been mentioned. When you come he will probably be in Berlin. I look forward to every post now to bring me news that you will be with us soon. Last Xmas eve we spent together over a glass of rum and there seems a probability of our doing so again, with a far different prospect ahead of us however. –

The V. B. affair⁶ you have regarded more seriously far than I have yet or probably shall allow myself. I have felt the same counter-pride that you mention, in the Mothers presence and the very feeling has occasioned me to despise all attempts to undermine it and ingratiate myself in her good opinion. Even to the Fraulein herself it has caused me to show less attention than to her fellow members of the Kränztchen⁷ so that a stranger to myself would fancy that far from esteeming her the most I had almost shewn her neglect. –

Much as I might value her favour I would not bend an atom to gain it, so that if she be ever won by me it will be through almost a studied bluntness of demeanour towards both her and her Mother. Such being my determination therefore you will believe with me that no nearer relations are ever likely to ensue. –

I received the Weekly Dispatch⁸ you sent me and read with interest the article on ‘Sterling Coin’⁹ it was worth a hundred Literary Gazettes¹⁰ it is true, and was permeated with a honest respect for his author as well as sympathy with that authors teaching. A caution against spiritual pride might however not be thrown away on the writer. He was somewhat dogmatic in his anti-dogmatism; he regarded the ‘Life of Sterling’ in this light merely which is far from being its only or even its most valuable aspect. The watchman on the Katzerback¹¹ is just blowing his melodious horn which reminds me that it is bed time so Good night John. Say good night to Debus also for me & that you may sleep and live well Is my last wish before jumping into my own sheets. (or between my own beddings)

T A Hirst

<Handwritten letter ends; hereafter LT Transcript Only>

You can do me a favour, John. If you have a £5 note by you (not otherwise) enclose it in an envelope directed by some other person than yourself, to | F. Booth, Bird Cage, Halifax. | I have reason to believe the little fellow is in want of it and too proud to ask. He has been ill for some time, and I fear is consumptive.¹² If possible also do not post it at Queenwood, but send it, say, to Ginty to post in Manchester. I want to avoid all suspicion of its having come from us and the Queenwood postmark would reveal it.

Monday morning, | Dec. 8/51.

Dr Tyndall, | Queenwood College, | Stockbridge, Hampshire, England.

RI MS JT/1/H/489

RI MS JT/1/HTYP/176–177