To Thomas Henry Huxley   27th. Oct. 1854.

27th. Oct. 1854.

My dear Huxley,

In compliance with your desire I write “at once”.¹ When you tell me the work you have before you I am ashamed to dwell upon mine – and it would be unkind in me to throw the weight of the April number² upon you. I am willing to do as you propose and try to make preparation for it.

But Mr Chapman must not forget that it is a mere matter of trial with me: my brain chances to be pretty tough at the present moment and this emboldens me to undertake what you propose – chiefly I must confess because it is you that propose it. I know not what time may bring forth – the brain may become tender, which the gods avert! and thus I might be forced to relinquish my task. Besides, as yet I do not know the nature of the said task, if it prove pleasant I may go on my way rejoicing but if otherwise the six guineas will form a very frail bond of connexion between me and it.

At all events if I do find myself unable to carry it on I shall endeavour to give Mr Chapman timely notice.

“What idiots we are all to toil and slave at this rate”³ it all depends upon the spirit in which we face our task – I know numbers who do not slave or toil and who are miserable devils after all.

Goodbye dear Huxley | ever Yours sincerely | John Tyndall

Don’t put “Upper” on your letters – They go astray.

IC HP: 8.19

RI MS JT/1/TYP/9/2869

Typescript Only