My dear Mrs B.
I am very much obliged to you for your note3—will you allow me to say one word in addition to what I have already said?4 Do not let my note5 cause you to think unkindly either of Mrs D.6 or me. The difference between us7 is the result of a series of unfortunate mistakes on both sides. I do not entertain the slightest hostile feeling towards her—I would do any thing to render her a service, and if I were in need of her good offices I believe she would not refuse them. You would do me a great favour to burn these two notes, and I feel perfectly at rest as to your keeping their contents entirely to yourself.8
J.T.
RI MS JT/2/13c/1185
Buxton: likely Emily Mary Buxton (née Holland, 1824–1908), wife of Charles Buxton (1822–71), see also letter 1676.
[26] January 1860: See letter 1676, n. 1.
your note: the note is missing, but Tyndall recorded in his journal for Saturday 28 1860, that ‘A very kind note from Mrs Buxton on the following day assured me that she was perfectly innocent of any knowledge of our relations’. (Journal, RI MS JT/2/13c/1184).
what I have already said: refers to his summary of events in letter 1676.
my note: letter 1676.
Mrs D: Maria Drummond, mother of Mary.
The difference between us: see letter 1604, n. 7.
keeping their contents entirely to yourself: Tyndall recorded in his journal for Saturday 28 January 1860 that he had discussed the matter with Faraday (Journal, RI MS JT/2/13c/1185).
Please cite as “Tyndall1677,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on