From Thomas Archer Hirst   Nov 14th 1852

Berlin | Mittel Strasse, N^o 5 | Nov 14^th 1852.

My dear John

In my last letter¹ little Booths circumstances had so preoccupied me that I forgot what was my original object in writing which I will therefore now mention first. The ‘Thermo-Saule’² will cost 20 thalers, the moment it is ready (M^r Kleiner is no man of his word)³ I shall send it by post unless you can tell me a better way. I received notice of your failure⁴ and on your account was disappointed on my own I must confess not so much so, for I have now advantages before me that I shall not readily find again,⁵ and above all I am treated by all with the greatest kindness. I have seen all the great guns now except Bois Reymond who is not yet returned. I have heard from Booth, as I felt he has accepted my proposal⁶ and remains at home; as far as distance will allow I will nurse him henceforth as if he were my brother. Some day you shall read the letter he has sent me. Meanwhile from the enclosed one⁷ from Roby you will learn how the matter stands with respect to giving him money. I cannot accept Roby’s proposal however If you have not offered him money or sent him it, do not do so.⁸ you will know why. One thing I will accept from you however, namely if owing to squandering so much money in travelling I should be for a time straitened and thus the regularity of Booths receipts endangered you will help me out with a few pounds I do not fear this however, at any rate for the next quarter of a year all is already provided for and I am yet in full pocket at the end of that time – we shall see. One ought always to consider extreme cases I was meditating the other day on looking out for a situation, but I threw up the notion very soon, it is clearly my duty to stop here some time yet, and after that to spend a short time in Paris. Now suppose John, that by some accident (you understand, at present it is not in the least visible) my income should be cut short, I should not hesitate to ask thee to help me to complete my studies, here and in Paris. The possibility of such an accident I think I once told you. My Brother William is farming with £400 of mine for which he pays me interest as far as I can hear he is ‘getting on’ pretty well just now; he might however be unsuccessful and then I should be a little more cramped. Keep thy self in readiness therefore oh John to help thy big brother⁹ when he becomes poor. And at present leave little Booth to me, for it is a source of joy to me that he will receive it from me. I have seen Riess and can endorse your opinion of him. He has opened his doors most hospitably to me at all times & I shall occasionally take advantage of his kindness. Meanwhile Dirichlet and I pull well together. I have written today such a mass of letters that I am used up so Good-bye.

Yours affectionately | TA Hirst

D^r Tyndall. | Queenwood College | Stockbridge | Hampshire

RI MS JT/1/H/175