From William Snow Harris   26 June 1861

6 Windsor Villas | Plymouth | 26 June 1861

Dear Tyndall,

Fearing you might be induced to leave London, and having more regard for you, than for myself relative to your visit here. I sent on a telegram to prevent your coming away to morrow. The Westerly channel drift has set in upon us since I last wrote to you, with very unsettled weather—there is much sea outside the headlands and a strong S. W. wind: occasionally fine—I saw a new gale springing up this morning. Barometer rapidly falling—so I sent the telegram. Now, 3 p.m., we have it home, heavy rain and wind.

I need not assure you how terribly disappointed I am at not seeing you and so we all are. A very celebrated person Madame Thellon,1 one of the greatest Artistes in Europe, is to dine with us tomorrow and I looked to a pleasant evening for you previous to our starting along the coast Friday—well if all this is not on the cards—we must get a new deal.

Now I think you really must endeavor so to manage matters as to make me compensation for all this terrible disappointment and see what you can do to carry out your charitable intention to spend a few days with me. The weather will again settle in fine in a day or two I dare say—About the 6th July you would see the launch of a fine ship if you could come about that time. Perhaps you could arrange for a few days before you go to the Continent2 I am certain you would be greatly charmed with this place and its vicinity.

Always sincerely and truly yours | W. S. Harris

Professor Tyndall | F.R.S. &c.

RI MS JT/1/TYP/2/475

LT Transcript Only

Madame Thellon: Madame Thellon was an English female vocalist best known for her singing at the Théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris. See The Theatrical Observer; and Daily Bills of the Play, no. 5377 (15 March 1839).

Perhaps you could arrange for a few days before you go to the Continent: Tyndall left for Switzerland on 31 July 1861, and does not seem to have made a trip to the West Country prior to that to visit Snow Harris.

Please cite as “Tyndall1791,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/tyndall/letters/Tyndall1791