From Elizabeth Steuart   December 31st 1851

Steuart’s Lodge | December 31st 1851.

Dear John,

I have been expecting and wishing to hear from you,¹ feeling anxious to know what your prospects are with respect to the Professorship at Toronto. Though I cannot help thinking that if anything were decided on, you would not delay writing to me – The idea of your leaving England causes me great regret, and puts an end (for the present at least) to my visions of seeing you in the first ranks of scientific men, however I should hope that distance will not preclude the possibility of your being recalled, whenever any suitable situation is vacant, as I make no doubt you have friends who will not lose sight of your interests.

I have a small request to make,² which I hope you will not consider troublesome: I am anxious to have ‘Mistletoe’ growing here, on some of the old trees, and as the berries are only to be had in England, I thought if the plant should be in your neighbourhood, you would kindly have some gathered, and sent to me in a little box by post: I shall return stamps to whatever amount is necessary, and feeling very much obliged for your kind compliance with my wishes. The seeds cannot be put in until Spring, but I am told none are left by the birds at that time, and therefore should be secured now.

Mr Steuart has not been so well this last week,³ but seems better to-day: he unites in every kind wish for you with

your very sincere friend | E. D. Steuart.

Doctor Tyndall | Queenwood College | Stockbridge | Hants.⁴

RI MS JT/1/TYP/10/3333

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