I have been greatly astonished, indeed indignant about what Williamson2 told Atkinson concerning the medal.3 I cannot reconcile it with what I know of Bence Jones, and am inclined to think it untrue. If so the untruth must be placed at Williamson’s door. Did I not know that you are perfectly above being annoyed about the matter I should not have sent the letter,4 as it is I think you ought to see it. Time will shew who is the lion and who is the little dog,5 will it not?
RI MS/JT/2/13b/655
LT Typescript Only
[29–30 January 1854]: Tyndall noted the reception of this letter on 30 January, suggesting Hirst wrote it on 29 or 30 January (Journal, JT/2/13b/655). It is unclear whether this letter was sent with letter 0874 or soon after.
Williamson: Alexander William Williamson (1824–1904), an English chemist notable for his work on etherification (ODNB). Williamson had told Atkinson that Bence Jones made a short rhyme about Tyndall and the Royal Medal (see n. 3), which Atkinson relayed to Hirst in a letter. Hirst sent Atkinson’s letter to Tyndall with letter 0874, n. 3.
the medal: the Royal Medal, which Tyndall declined (see letter 0837).
the letter: see letter 0874, n. 3.
who is the lion … dog: see letter 0874, n. 3.
Please cite as “Tyndall0875,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on