34 Cleveland Square | Hyde Park 22 May/58
My dear Tyndall
From the tone of your mind I dare say that you abominate the system of testimonials by which places are now bought & won—So do I & I do not intend, if I can possibly help, to print one in my canvass for the Edinburgh Chair of Chemistry.1 But my Edinburgh supporters insist upon my having them in reserve, lest it should be alledged that I could not procure any.
Can you therefore in conscience oblige me so far as to write me a letter2 stating that you have on recent occasions (for my rivals alledge I have not lectured since 1853) heard me lecture on Chemical subjects at the Royal Institution3 & your general opinion as to my qualifications as a lecturer. Without professing to give an opinion on Chemical Evidence, perhaps you will kindly allude to my position in London, as being President of the Chemical Society,4 to show that I take active interest in the pursuit of my science.
Yours truly | Lyon Playfair
RI MS JT/1/P/116
RI MS JT/1/TYP/3/984
my canvass for the Edinburgh Chair of Chemistry: Playfair was successful in obtaining this position, and only resigned when he moved into politics in 1869.
write me a letter: letter missing.
heard me lecture on Chemical subjects at the Royal Institution: Playfair’s lectures at the RI on chemical subjects include ‘On Three Important Chemical Discoveries From the Exhibition of 1851’ on 27 February 1852, and ‘On the Chemical Principles involved in Agricultural Experiments’ on 30 May 1856.
being President of the Chemical Society: Playfair served as President of the Chemical Society of London from 1857–9.
Please cite as “Tyndall1521,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on