My dear Tom
I hope your headache is gone, don’t let the state of [matters] at Queenwood2 depress you. Keep your heart cheerful boy and your hand ready to strike the right stroke whenever it is needed. Don’t let that money affair depress you.3 Let not vigilance be relaxed, but don’t let it weigh down your spirits. I don’t think you need fear your letters in the least: there is a kind of honour among them depend upon it: I had a note4 from your brother5 this morning he is coming to London next week. How old was Orton?6 It was probably wise to send him away as an example, but when the delinquent is young and if the process do not occupy too much time some other correction may perhaps be applied. I am glad to see Edmondson acting so promptly on your advice.7 Don’t let your heart get too full of contempt Tom – mine often did – Remember I suffered all you suffer and it is right that you should suffer all I have suffered so that we may continue the same in soul and spirit. Take the matter as heroically as you can, and let a smile if possible play round your sternest resolution. This is the battle of life Tom. Cheer up boy. I am as merry as a lark, although I have not tasted brandy and water for a week. I would have given a crown to hear your lecture at Salisbury.8 I preach tomorrow Good night Tom. Does Mummery9 shew any signs of penitence?
Exit John.
RI MS JT/1/HTYP/323
LT Typescript Only
[27 February 1854]: both letters 0891 and 0892 were responses to letters 0889. Letter 0891 was written ‘Monday morning’, 27 February, and this one was written in the evening.
the state of [matters] at Queenwood: Three key matters were occurring at Queenwood, the ‘Mummery affair’ (see letter 0817, n. 4), two boys had run away (see letters 0886 and 0889, n. 8), and the theft of money (see letter 0889).
that money affair: see n. 2.
a note: letter missing.
your brother: John Hirst (see letter 0809, n. 9).
Orton: see letter 0886, n. 14.
Edmondson acting … your advice: see letter 0889.
your lecture at Salisbury: see letter 0889, n. 12.
Mummery: see n. 2.
Please cite as “Tyndall0892,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on