Berlin 16th. Aug. 1853.
My dear Tom
Hand the accompanying note1 to Mr Edmondson it will answer his purpose with Mrs Graham, and if any thing similar should occur in future he may if he thinks it worth the trouble of copying make what use he pleases of it. I am gladdened by the tone of your last letter,2 it smells of contentment. I am glad that you are not above playing with the little fellows. Indeed I knew you were not, but some men Debus for instance though he is an affectionate soul cannot manage to play well with children. I hope you will keep your heart warm and soft towards them. Little irritations may and will occur from time to time and you will hear the complaints of less loving souls but dont let this have any effect upon you – Overpower them by pure good feeling. You will probably do this better than I did it so I need say no more about it. By this time you are aware that the £20 have reached me and that I want a second £20.3 In about a week I shall be moving – I purpose spending a few days on the Harz4 If you could expand Mr Edmondson so as to enlarge his feelings towards the boys you would accomplish a great feat. Could you inspire him with the wish to please them rather than to please himself it would be a great thing – could you make him feel that the reward of his labour at Queenwood must in a great measure be the success of his labour, and not exactly the enjoyments which his income enables him to procure, you would do a great thing. You have a lever in the idea which he now evidently entertains and that is to leave Queenwood to his son.5 Two years ago he had no thought of this kind but now he has. Queenwood was then dying (33 boys) but it is now prosperous and you can work upon his fatherly feeling to induce him to take an active part in its advancement. If you find him sensual tell him so. If you find him doing anything calculated to lessen his power either among boys or teachers tell him so. If you find him talking too much – which is a fearful peril – tell him so. If his feelings and the interests of Queenwood ever clash dont spare the former. The effect on them will be transient on Queenwood perhaps permanent. This morning for the first time I had a plunge into the Spree.6 the proprietor7 at first was hardly willing to let me in as he was not sure that I could swim. He made me half afraid. It’s so long since I swam, I thought it possible that I might have forgotten the way: but in I went and the water bent beneath me like an elastic spring and I rode the Spree like a water Nimrod.8
Good bye | As ever yours | John
RI MS JT/1/T/570
RI MS JT/1/HTYP/261
the accompanying note: letter missing. Hirst had asked Tyndall to write a note to Mrs. Graham, who wished to send another one of her sons to Queenwood due to her high regard for Tyndall, in order to vouch for his successor (see letter 0794).
your last letter: letter 0794.
By this time … a second £20: see letter 0796, n. 4.
the Harz: the Harz Mountains (see letter 0795, n. 1).
his son: George William Edmondson.
the Spree: the Spree River, which flows through northeastern Germany and cuts through Berlin.
the proprietor: not identified.
Nimrod: a skilled hunter, or a person who enjoys hunting. The word also functions as a biblical allusion to Nimrod the hunter and great grandson of Noah; see Genesis 10:8–9 (OED).
Please cite as “Tyndall0797,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on