To Thomas Archer Hirst   5th Oct 1853

London 5^th. Oct. 1853.

My dear Tom

Well I am at length fixed I never took a wider range in search of lodgings in my life. I was in a strait between two. Francis was leaving his lodgings at Islington, they are very comfortable and the people thoroughly honest. But it was distant – full three quarters of an hour’s walk from the Institution. This caused me to hesitate long, but at length balancing matters, patently I resolved on taking his lodgings notwithstanding the distance. Here I now sit more comfortable than the Queen¹ and very thankful to have such a block of a fellow as you to write to and discharge all my gossip. My lodging is 9 Chadwell St Myddleton Square Islington.² It is very quiet and very airy and not so expensive as places further west. Today I saw Faraday for the first time since my return – He came into the laboratory as I was there this afternoon. He had been doing something up stairs and his hands were black but that did not diminish the kindness of their pressure. We soon plunged into conversation, talked about my health and his health, about my troubles, about my future work. I had sent him a letter which little George Cumming had written to me³ (I now send it to you for it is worth reading) today I found it in an envelope directed to me. I said that I ought to beg his pardon for sending it – Tyndall he replied I am glad to see such feelings within you Science itself is not the principal thing, we are men and we ought to cherish human feelings. He spoke of his being compelled to relinquish work, that his head would bear it no longer. I referred to the Catholic doctrine of supererogation,⁴ and said that any thing he did at present would be a work of supererogation for that he had already done enough. As we spoke I felt my serenity increasing, and I could look calmly upon his silver hair and the masculine brow beneath it. It is a sweet privilege to have such a man to reverence, so great and yet so childlike. It answers to a want in my own nature and I thank the Gods for giving me the capacity to understand such a man. Alluding to his giving up work he said “Well Tyndall I am glad you are here to take my place” or some thing to that effect. He was about going several times but some remark would occur to hold him. I am sure he said on parting that if M^rs. Faraday knew you were here she would desire her kind remembrances – I know she would – thus he left me. An odour remained about my heart and I spent an additional half hour very pleasantly among the dusty bottles.

And now I have told you the days experience. Goodbye. Love to Heins.⁵ Kiss little Charles Cumming for me if he lets you, and give Tommy Grieve a little hug. Little Darton⁶ is also a great friend of mine, but if I begin to commemorate I must go through the whole lot.

Goodbye again Tom | Your affectionate | John

RI MS JT/1/T/572

RI MS JT/1/HTYP/270–271