St. Helier’s Jersey Sunday| June 17. 1855
My dear Tom
I want you to go to Mr John Chapman1 of King William Street, Strand, not far from Charing Cross, and ask him to send the proofs of my article written for the Westminster Review2 to you - and I want you to read the said article and if any typical3 errors should occur, or if there be any thing which presents a difficulty, to the printer to set it right for me. If you shew Mr Chapman what I have here written that will be a sufficient introduction. He will give you the manuscript and if any doubtful point should arise a comparison between it and the proof will enable you to set it right.
Debus and I reached St. Helier’s4 yesterday. The wind lulled before we left Southampton and I promised myself a deep sleep & forgetfulness of all sea sickness – as I write the word my miseries come back upon me, and my stomach rumbles, in memory of what I suffered – nobody escaped – it was awfully rough. The wind during the day had lashed the water into motion and it took some time to tranquilize it. Once when I was very miserable Debus cast an eye upon me. Well John, Wie gehts? Schlecht genug, und Dir? Oh Gut!5 – some short time afterwards I heard him ejaculate ‘Steward a basin’! and what followed I must leave to your imagination. At Guernsey we came into calm water, and seeing others indulging in the like and feeling awfully ravenous we had a chop and cup of tea. I felt strong but alas between Guernsey & Jersey the billows heaved themselves once more. I saw Debus leaning over a real,6 the picture of physical dejection. The storm was manifestly brewing & soon the explosion came – although on the verge of one myself I could not help laughing at Heinrich.7
We are now pretty well. I was, before the writing of this note brought back the remembrance of my wrongs. I hope you find all comfortable in Chadwell St.8 Love to Anna.
John
RI MS JT/1/T/604
Mr John Chapman: John Chapman (1821–94) was the proprietor and publisher of the Westminster Review.
my article written for the Westminster Review: see letter 1092, n. 9.
typical: typographical.
St. Helier’s: St Helier is one of the twelve parishes on the island of Jersey and also its principal town, which has a south-facing harbour.
Wie gehts? Schlecht genug, und Dir? Oh Gut!: How are you feeling? Bad enough, and you? Oh fine! (German).
a real: presumably the rail of the ship.
Heinrich: Debus.
Chadwell St: Tyndall’s lodgings in London were at 9 Chadwell St., Pentonville.
Please cite as “Tyndall1097,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on