To Arthur-Auguste de la Rive   22nd, April, 1859

Royal Institution, 22nd, April, 1859.¹

My dear Sir

I have just received your letter² on the banks of the Lake of Windermere in Westmoreland.³ It has been sent to me in company with other pleasant letters: but I can assure you that none of them gave me greater satisfaction than yours.

Accept my warmest thanks for this new proof of your kindness towards me, and I beg of you also to convey to those concerned in my election⁴ my grateful acknowledgments for the honour which they have done me, tell them that I shall endeavour to render myself more worthy than I now am of the distinction which they have conferred upon me.

Nevertheless apart from this subject I confess that your note has a peculiar charm for me—it is the spirit of friendship which it breathes which renders it chiefly precious to me: and surely few have more reason to be grateful than myself for having such friends given to me as you and Faraday. And I know that in your case as in his the longer we know each other the more I shall respect and esteem you.

I know it will give him delight to see you once more in London,⁵ and to me also it will be a source of the liveliest gratification—I sincerely hope that nothing may occur to prevent you from carrying out your intention.

The diploma shall be duly transmitted to Mr Airy.⁶

Believe me my dear Sir | Ever most faithfully Yours | John Tyndall

RI MS JT/1/TYP/1/359

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