Dear Sir Henry,2
Our last interview3 gave me an approximate notion of your wishes, and allowed me an opportunity of stating to you my general feelings in matters of science. But it did not, as you are aware, furnish data sufficiently distinct to enable me to make a distinct statement. If you would be kind enough to let me know the nature and exact amount of the duties which would be required of me I shall be able to inform you without delay whether it is in my power to engage in such duties. The question is altogether one of time, and on this point I shall be able to come to a prompt decision when once in possession of the elements necessary to its formation.
I have the honour to be | your very obedient Servant | John Tyndall
RI MS JT/2/13b/642
LT Typescript Only
[2 December 1853]: Tyndall noted writing and sending this letter in his journal on 2 December (JT/2/13b/642).
Dear Sir Henry: an earlier draft of this letter is in Tyndall’s journal (1 December 1853, JT/2/13b/641). In the draft, Tyndall asked for a ‘plain statement’ of both the duties required and the income, while in this version Tyndall did not directly speak of income, and emphasized that the ‘question is altogether one of time’.
Our last interview: De la Beche and Tyndall last met on 10 November to discuss the possibility of Tyndall lecturing at the Government School of Mines (see letter 0824, n. 1).
Please cite as “Tyndall0846,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on