My dear mother,
It is a long time since I wrote to you,1 and no doubt you will be desirous to hear something of me. For several weeks I have been wandering among the mountains and the glaciers of Switzerland, and I am at the present moment seated near the base of the highest mountain in Europe.2 My health is very good, and my general strength considerable. In fact the people here consider me a first rate mountaineer. On the 20th of this month I must be in London, so that my tour is drawing to a close. I do not think you would in the least recognise me if I were to appear before you at present. My whiskers have grown to an enormous bulk, and for the last 6 weeks I have not applied a razor to my face. The consequence is that it is half hidden by a great beard and moustache. They are very ugly, but very comfortable, and save a great deal of trouble. They are also good as a protection against the sun which sometimes glares with immense power from the mountain snow. I have also a green veil round my hat to protect me from the same influence, and in addition to this to save my eyes am often compelled to wear dark spectacles. Imagine me then with my beard, and my veil and my spectacles and I think you will agree with me that you could hardly recognise me. I am also turned very brown by the sun; and appear a totally different person from the pale faced individual who came here six weeks ago. I hope the strength which I have acquired will help me over the duties of the coming winter.
When I return to London I will write to you again—until then goodbye—
Your affectionate son | John
Chamouni Savoy.3 2nd, Sep, 1858
I shall leave this place in a few days, so it would not be safe to send a letter to me here.
RI MS JT/5/16/-
Please cite as “Tyndall1552,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on