From Anne Wynne   9 July [1857]¹

Pariser Hof | Langen Schwalbach² | Duchy of Nassau | 9^th July

My dear M^r. Tyndall,

If this letter arrives before you have left London for your holiday will you do me a favour—I think that from having last year had to do with the examinations for Woolwich, you may be able to find out for us, sooner than the public accounts would tell us, whether Eddy has failed or not.³ it would be something to us to have the time of suspense shortened—tho’ it is hardly suspense, we feel so nearly sure that he has failed. He thinks it himself, says that on almost every point he answered very poorly and greatly below his knowledge—

One thing came against him—we had been pleasing ourselves with the thought that as the examination was to begin with drawing (mechanical drawing he knows nothing of landscape) his success in that would give him a feeling of self confidence, which would be in his favour for the rest of the examination. but on that very point he had a severe disappointment which I will tell you in his words—‘it has not been for me a fair examination in drawing in this way. You probably recollect that last time I was given only geometrical drawing, and I thought of course that it would be the same this time as they had merely advised in the last report that if any one wished to be examined in landscape, additional credit would be given for it: but on the drawing day they only gave us geometrical questions which were far too long and difficult to do more than half of them in the time, and in the evening they gave us landscape drawing to do; I asked for a mechanical drawing which was down on the list along with the landscape but they would not give it to me and said I must do the landscape, I tried it but could make nothing of it. Now I think this unfair that after spending a great time not only with a master but also at home in the evenings I should get less marks than I did last time when there were fewer marks given to the subject, whereas I expected and I think reasonably, to double them at least’—

I don’t know why I tell you this story, excepting that it seems to have been the only unfair thing in the examination & yet one to tell against the boy—Of course half the fathers and mothers believe that in sending their sons to this examination they are sending in valuable members to the Corps of Artillery and Engineers⁴—I know we feel sure of it in Eddy’s instance and yet I am nearly sure he will not be tried. They cannot know what a nice boy he is or how much thought and sense he has. They have only the examination to go by—

I will not write to you any more about the matter, but will you if you can, tell us the decision.

This is our first visit to Germany. We do like the country and much in the character of the people—England is not, I feel sorry to think, in all points the first of the nations—

I wish you a very happy holiday my dear M^r. Tyndall & much refreshment from it.

With Edward when he comes we think of seeing various places & perhaps he may go into Switzerland. I think we shall meet him at Heidelberg⁵ on the 18^th. —

Do not overwork yourself please—I wish we might meet you somewhere & see you well—I am ever yours | most truly | A. Wynne

RI MS JT/1/W/90

RI MS JT/1/TYP/5/1855–6