From John Ball^{1, 2}

Dear Tyndall,

Many thanks for your kind note.³ I merely cease to be President of [the] Alpine Club by virtue of law—having held it for 3 years.⁴

Though I knew it was doubtful whether you could give the little time required my wish was that you might be induced to take my place. I had not spoken on the subject but lately ascertain that several of the active men in the Club were looking the same way.

Meantime, however, in addition to the doubt whether you would accept the Glacier controversy has waxed hotter (be hanged to it) and though no one who has spoken to me is in the least influenced one way or the other—it was feared that in some quarter or other that might interfere with the thorough cordiality with which the proposition would otherwise have been received by every individual in the Club.

This being the case I am sure that I acted as you might wish your friend to act by advising that the choice should fall on a completely neutral man who will have time to attend whenever wanted. The worthy Kennedy⁵ does not care, so long as he has glaciers and peaks to climb, whether the ice moves up hill or down and at the present moment he is the best man we can have.

I trust you will not think of leaving the Club.⁶ I find that many men (originally mere climbers) are beginning to take an interest in the physical questions that have to be decided in the Alps. In a few years there will be an organization which you will be able to wield with effect.

Don’t forget that you are to send me Rendu.⁷

I hope you are all right. If you don’t otherwise desist from overwork you must be provided with a wife to control you.

Ever yours, | J. Ball

A. S. Eve and C. H. Creasey, Life and Work of John Tyndall (London: Macmillan & Co. Ltd, 1945), p. 387.