To John Francis Julius von Haast   8th January 1862

Royal Institution | Albemarle Street London | 8^th January 1862

My dear Sir

I reviewed your kind & flattering letter¹ and your interesting little book² a few days ago. For both of them pray accept my best thanks. When I commenced my observations upon glaciers I had very little idea of the tidings of my work reaching so far as New Zealand, and I can unfeignedly assure you that I consider it a very high reward to find that a scientific explorer in that distant region thinks my work worthy of recognition.

It has been now my custom for some years to spend annually a few weeks in the Alps. This year I could only afford myself a brief holiday but I accomplished the ascent of one splendid mountain which had hitherto baffled all attempts made to scale it—I mean the Weisshorn. It is close upon 15000 feet high & is certainly the most magnificent cone in Switzerland. Of all the really difficult mountains the Matterhorn now alone remains, and the man who reaches its summit, will, I think, perform a more difficult piece of work than any hitherto accomplished.

I have written out an account of the whole expedition of this year—it will be published by Longman in the course of the spring³ and as soon as it appears I shall do myself the pleasure of sending you a copy.

Were it not so very far I should be tempted to go to New Zealand and make an excursion among these never trodden peaks. My friend D^r Hooker has also imbued me with a strong desire to go to India, but I fear I shall not be able to accomplish the journey. At all events if I cannot go to New Zealand it will be a pleasure to me to reflect on your kindness, and to remember that the most agreeable recompense to which a mountaineer could aspire⁴ has through that kindness been secured to me.

Wishing you health and strength to pursue your explorations

Believe me dear Sir | Very faithfully yours | John Tyndall

Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand MS 0037-143