To Thomas Archer Hirst   Wednesday 21st. April / 58

Wednesday 21^st. April / 58.

My dear Tom.

I have just read your letter,¹ and laughed at the last paragraph—laughed at the perfect similarity of your thoughts to my own. I rather think it is ‘fortunate for himself’ that he did not attempt what he² proposed. But perhaps I am wrong, for the man who is unintelligible is in a measure unassailable.

I was greatly pleased with my visit to Tennyson.³ I found him a brotherly soul, the very sound of whose voice told you that a man was behind the organ. I dined with him, and discussed many matters with him—His perfect simplicity of character delighted me. He has a very superior woman for a wife; and two sons who appear to me to be a pair of the sweetest lyrics that ever sprung from Tennyson. We parted from each other as if we had been friends for years.

Last night I formed a fraction of a small but distinguished party at Lord Ashburton’s.⁴ He is a man of fine earnest soul. I had thoughts of declining his invitation as my head was not over well, but I am glad I did not do so, as my brain brightened, and I took my own share of the conversation—I think they were all Lords. He introduced me to two or three of them, and to the old Marquis of Lansdowne,⁵ in fact nobody could be kinder. At dinner Lord Stanhope⁶ was at my right; and would you guess who was on my left? Thomas Carlyle. We were the most joyful pair at the table, though nobody lacked glad cheerfulness. It was a regular, thorough face to face bit of talk, and I enjoyed it mightily. We spoke of old Leslie,⁷ who was Forbes’ predecessor; of Forbes & Agassiz, of Kepler,⁸ of the habit of mind to which nature will reveal herself, and of those habits from which she withdraws. We talked of some books which are now causing a stir in London. At intervals my noble right hand neighbour talked about the Glaciers; he had spent some time among them last year. Carlyle appeared to be in choice condition, strong and fervent. His countenance is a wonderful one, and his eyes light up sometimes with almost superhuman radiance. It seemed to me that I quite got a hold of the old chap, and that we are likely to be permanent friends. He purposes coming to my lecture tomorrow.⁹

Now Tom dont be angry with me for the ‘shirk’—though to say the truth I used the word to ‘rile’ you. Thank you for the bit of news about Jamin.¹⁰ I am glad to hear of the dining—and still it has its healthy limits as well as other things. I am obliged to be very sparing in it. But Tom I know such a splendid family¹¹ here, Rich, cultivated, beautiful & good—good to excellence. —a mother and three daughters, who rank among the choicest bits of humanity that I ever met, or hoped to meet. Earth is like heaven tonight, the air is so bland & the moon & stars so beautiful goodnight Tom

always yours affectionately | John

Many thanks for the Memoir.

RI MS JT/1/T/892

RI MS JT/1/HTYP/511