From Thomas Archer Hirst   Decr 4th 53

Queenwood College | Dec^r 4^th 53

My dear John.

A week ago I told Wright that he need not trouble himself about any money for me this Christmas for I should not want it. Yesterday I told him to arrange to let me have ₤20 which he promised to do. In my purse I have this moment ₤5 which is of no mortal use to me if you would like it before Wright will have the ₤20 ready tell me. On the 1^st of January I receive my Quarters Interest¹ of ₤30 which after paying my Christmas debts will leave me amply sufficient until April next when another ₤30 will come for which I foresee no use now John such are the plain figures which will be a better argument with you than anything else I can say for you know as well as I do that it would pain me very much if you did not use it as freely as if it were your own. But you will. The reluctance of which you speak sprung merely from the thought that you were pinching me, and I am sure that inducement to accept Sir H. dela B–’s proposal² vanished before you had finished writing it

I am glad Huxley mentioned your affair at the Royal Society³ and that your two letters⁴ were read before all the members. The way you have treated the whole case both as regards yourself and everything else leaves not a syllable to be said except in pure praise. Ginty has heard of it (through Capt. Wynne) in a letter to me⁵ the other day he tells me all the circumstances as if I had not heard a word about them! And truly they were as interesting to me as if I had been ignorant for they shewed me how such fellows as Ginty view the matter and that is worth something he says ‘Tyndall came to their (the R. S) rescue by at once releasing them from their oversight for honor – this will reflect more to Tyndall’s honor that 10 such medals’. I am expecting you down here on Saturday the 17^th (a week next Saturday) to be ready for our stir⁶ on the Monday and to attend the last Saturday night’s meeting of the Improvement Society.⁷ Tommy Grieve is reserving his paper⁸ for you I believe. Enclosed is another letter from and answer to Henry Hill.⁹ Post mine to him and return me his for as I think Bevington can help us now I will write to him shortly and tell him what I know of Henry shewing his letters.¹⁰ Perhaps Bevington can find employment for him at the Neckinger Mills¹¹ who knows? From his knowledge of Leather & Leather cutting one would think he might be of service in a Tanning manufactory at any rate I will see.

Debus for the last day or two has withdrawn into himself in other words he has taken umbrage at something or other. He has been indulging in that unfortunate twaddle of his too much. Haas I hear cut him rather short one night at supper and on relating the matter to me at the Lodge¹² I in perfect good humour told him that it all originated with himself (I have often told him so before) This coupled with a peculiar physical indisposition I’m afraid has thrown him into one of his sullen fits. As soon as I saw it I told him quietly that as no body had the slightest intention of hurting his feelings the offence was entirely on his own side, after which I have taken no notice whatever of his sulks but forced him to talk to me civilly. He is thawing evidently and in a day or two if well let alone will come around.

Yours affectionately | TA Hirst

RI MS JT/1/H/187