From Margaret Allen   Feb 28th/54

Stanley Terrace, Feb 28^th/54.

My dear John,

You will be surprised to hear the intelligence I am about to communicate. My beloved sister Penny¹ is about sailing for Australia, I think on the tenth of March or before, she goes in company of a clergyman & his family² who are our intimate friends. I assure you I feel her loss very greatly, much more so than you can conceive – will you then at this particular time permit ‘me to use you as a brother’, will you remit me a little cash?³ – I feel much in asking you, but if a grateful heart & unbounded sentiments of respect will repay you in any degree, I can assure you you have them to the fullest extent. Would then I could have accompanied her. I could then have endeavored to accomplish some little myself, as it is, however large my desires upon this [head], I am cramped, even in the very thought, by my connections – you cannot imagine how I feel this dependency, & Oh! to think that it may be for a life-time – is it not galling. I can truly say that my every moment is an anxious one – & yet all for the sake of the forms of society, I am to be thus fettered. In any case permit me to hear from you soon & [Ever] I shall continue,

Yours very sincerely | Gretchen⁴

Dr. John Tyndall.

RI MS JT/1/A/75