To Thomas Archer Hirst   12th Sept. 1857

12^th Sept. 1857

My dear Tom.

I have just read your letter¹ to me and sit down at once to reply to it. Our thoughts on the subject were in a great measure similar: I knew that Wright² had written to you, but I had little idea of your closing with the offer: nevertheless as some unknown recess or influence might exist in your mind to determine you to accept the offer, I did not discountenance the act of writing to you. For my part my advice is clear and decided, that you ought to follow that line of study with all energy and devotion which your own experience of your constitution proves to be most congenial to you. I know you would never feel at peace in Queenwood³—and if you had any thoughts of coming there, I would advise it to be on the clear condition that you should have the management of the place entirely in your hands. If you liked the work, there is I believe room for noble activity at Queenwood, but if you have not made up your mind to follow out the life of an educator, in the sense in which it is understood in such an establishment, then I would say remain clear of the place while you are clear of it. With regard to other positions I have not the slightest doubt that such will present themselves whenever you make up your mind to seek them.

I, for my part, have ever looked forward, and look forward now with more undoubting confidence than ever, to the result of your studies. You are slow, but so is nature when she forms the oak. —It is a slowness which rises in a great measure from the comprehensiveness of your aims, and will in the end produce a result possessing a mass and value corresponding to the time spent in its achievement. It will come out of you someday as a great cannon roar which shall resound through the ages, while others spend their force in a succession of squibs which are soon forgotten. Be true then to your own aspirations, and may God grant you strength of will, and give you grace to preserve that strength of muscle upon which the accomplishment of intellectual ends so much depends.

I had a severe attack of cold at Queenwood, but it is gone and I am now strong. The glacier is a tangle, but I am getting gradually through it and hope soon to have it off hands. A brother of Prof. Thomson’s⁴ communicated a paper upon the subject⁵ to the meeting in Dublin,⁶ but I do not think he hits the mark. I saw Huxley the night before last and he talked much about you. I saw Faraday last night and as usual was delighted with the fine old fellow. I will gather some papers for you & send them to you in a few days.

Ever my dear Tom | affectionately yours | J. Tyndall

RI MS JT/1/T/641

RI MS JT/1/HTYP/502