Thursday.
My dear Mrs Pollock,
I send you a German exercise,2 written by a man of fine serene, philosophic mind. Von Ettingshausen3 of Vienna. I read some time ago a memoir from a young man whose acquaintance I made in Vienna in 1856. One of the most <1-2 words excised> intellects of the day—and united with it a most manly and transparent character. I wrote to him to express the pleasure his memoir gave me, the more so as I had heard that he was ill. This is the reply I received.4
The attraction towards Edinburgh is very strong5—I have 5 days remaining to consider the subject and then must give my final answer.6 Looked at from the point of pure reason, there is no doubt of the preponderating advantages of Edinburgh—‘One hour a day for 6 months and six months entire holiday’ thus the question is put to me—much could be done—the same lectures to be repeated year after year being merely kept at the level of our knowledge, and the hope of founding a school of true experimental physics which would have a lasting influence upon the country. The reasons pro are very strong. Still reason I fear will not decide it—this entre nous7
very sincerely yours | J. Tyndall.
You can give me Ettingshausens’s exercise when I come over Saturday.
If I cannot get home to dress I hope you will excuse me. I take it for granted you will be alone
RI MS JT/1/TYP/6/1963
LT Typescript Only
[17 November 1859]: Dated based on the discussion surrounding the Chair of Physics at the University of Edinburgh. In letter 1648, Playfair stated that Tyndall had eight days to decide. As Tyndall notes he now has five days to give a final answer, this letter is likely a few days prior to 24 November 1859 when Playfair replied to Tyndall’s letter letting him know that he had finally decided against becoming a candidate. Tyndall recorded in his diary for 19 November that he dined with the Pollocks. This letter has therefore been dated to 17 November 1859, which was a Thursday.
I send you a German exercise: letter missing.
Von Ettingshausen: Andreas von Ettingshausen (1796–1878), German mathematician and physicist at the University of Vienna. He was appointed director of the University’s physics institute in 1852.
I wrote to him to express the pleasure his memoir gave me, the more so as I had heard that he was ill. This is the reply I received: this exchange is missing.
The attraction towards Edinburgh is very strong: referring to the availability of the Chair of Physics at the University of Edinburgh, see letter 1645, n. 3.
I have 5 days remaining to consider the subject and then must give my final answer: Tyndall decided against applying for the position. Tyndall outlined these reasons in a letter to Playfair on 11 November 1859 (letter 1646), and finally let Playfair know in a letter recorded in Tyndall’s journal for Saturday 19 November 1859 (letter 1658).
entre nous: in confidence.
Please cite as “Tyndall1656,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on