From Thomas Archer Hirst   Thursday June 20th / 53

Hotel Corneille | Paris | Thursday June 30^th / 53

My dear John

This is the last day of June, I have as yet seen nothing of Prof. Steiner although I told him that I should not remain longer than the first of July in Paris. I have told you before what an eccentric man he is, and I am not in the least surprised at his not coming. I shall give him 3 more days to save himself, and then if he does not make his appearance I shall be off. You say in your last letter,¹ from which I could see very well that you are terribly fagged² in mind and body, that one day will be sufficient for us to be together. I beg to say it will by no means satisfy me, and that I don’t intend being cheated. For that reason unless I am prevented by Steiner, I shall be at Queenwood on Tuesday next I shall leave Havre³ for Southampton on Monday evening. It strikes me I can be of some use to you next week not only in the work which is at present pressing you but also in scolding you a little, at any rate I shall see when I come.

The Memoir by Viard⁴ I have already translated I shall bring it with me or in case of delay I shall send it and tell you at the same time where I shall expect to meet you.

The lectures here are just about finishing. A hearty welcome awaits you in Berlin I know and after the fagging work you have gone through I hope you will submit yourself like a wise foreseeing man to the beneficial influence it can have on you. For the last two months I have discussed to myself all sorts of projects, fears, and hopes with respect to yourself, mostly vague ones requiring first of all to have more basis in fact. It was for this reason that I said a week of your company was necessary for me, and I will have it in spite of you. It will take so long to deliver myself of what I have to say, and for us both to know each other exactly, that is to what phase of existence we have arrived at and what modifications a year’s time has effected in us both. In short, John, a week’s close contact with thee has become a periodical necessity for me. I want to have somebody to whom I can talk all myself, whatever of significant and insignificant there may be in me. I want to get quit of it to thee, refuse me at thy peril!!

As ever | T A Hirst

P.S. Inasmuch as where one is best know we may expect most favour, I should advise M^r Edmondson to advertise in the Bristol Times, and Halifax Guardian, and perhaps also in the Leeds Mercury and Wakefield – (Guardian)? (I think).

RI MS JT/1/H/178

RI MS JT/1/HTYP/247