Heatherton Park3 | Tuesday
Dear Mr. Tyndall,
The book4 arrived this morning, and I am quite delighted with all I have had time to read of it. I am so very much obliged to you for your kindness—and shall hope to read it with Miss Hamilton5 during a visit I am soon going to pay them in Wales—It seems a “grand” work, and I shall value it much.
Believe me | Very truly yours | H Mary Adair
RI MS JT/1/A/8
Mary Adair: Henrietta Mary Adair (1843–1921), the youngest daughter of Alexander Adair (1791–1863) and Harriet Eliza Atkinson (1811–78). She attended Tyndall’s lectures at the RI and they enjoyed conversing about scientific matters. Tyndall would later fall in love with Mary and eventually propose to her in late 1869, which she declined (Ascent of John Tyndall, p. 257).
[19 May 1863]: this date is written on the letter but does not appear to be in Adair’s or Tyndall’s hand; perhaps added by LT. 19 May 1863 was indeed a Tuesday.
Heatherton Park: Heatherton Park Estate, Somerset, had been purchased by (Hugh) William Adair (1754–1844) in 1807 from the Gunston family. At his death it passed, with Colehayes Park (Devon), to his second surviving son, Alexander Adair (1791–1863).
The book: probably Heat as a Mode of Motion, which was published in March 1863.
Miss Hamilton: not identified. In his journal entry for 28 November 1869, Tyndall wrote that ‘Years and years ago I remember her friend Miss Hamilton sending me down to Ventnor a draft of Miss Adair’s notes of my lecture’ (RI MS JT/2/13c/1357). Like Adair, this woman likely took a similar interest in Tyndall’s lectures.
Please cite as “Tyndall2009,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on