To Henry Bence Jones   30th, July, 1863

30th, July, 1863.

My dear Dr. Jones

I am here in the midst of the mountains once more. I left London on the 17th accompanied by Mr. Sclater of the Zoological Society.¹ He left me yesterday to return to his wife² and being alone to day I will spend a quarter of an hour in writing to you.

Our first day upon the Glaciers was a very long grind. We were on ice and snow for more than 12 hours, and had a little mountain work afterwards. The sun was hot and blazed up against our faces so that I have not yet recovered the broiling which I then endured. That is to say my lips and face still suffer though my general health is good. With the strongest desire to keep out of danger I was near coming to grief the first day, as I found myself alone in an unknown region, and had to perform some ugly work to extricate myself. We crossed the Oberaarjoch³—a very fine pass—a few days ago, but its magnificence was obscured by clouds and before we reached our hotel⁴ we were assailed by a thunderstorm which drenched us through and through.

Since then we have been dawdling about here, breathing the mountain air, eating the mountain mutton and partaking in moderation of the mountain brandy. Yesterday was splendid, but with this exception the weather has not been good. Last night this house was in a state of commotion regarding a party of two ladies and a gentleman who were lost on the mountains. I summoned the forces of the place and dispatched them in various directions; taking a man with myself I struck into the route which seemed most likely to lead to the wanderers. We had a horrid scramble; along water courses, over torrents, shooting down slippery grass slopes and shouting as loud as our lungs could yell. We found them at length, but could not get them home. So we forced open a chalet for their reception, made a pine fire and left them to rest on the hay which fortunately the place contained.

I will stay here for a few days in the hope of my guide Bennen turning up. Afterwards I will go to the Engadin⁵ for a week or two, then to London. I must I think pay a flying visit to Ireland,⁶ but I hope by the end of August to be once more at work.

I have had a letter from Dr. Mayer⁷ in which he informs me that he intends to visit England. I hope he will come when I am there. I have urged him to visit Newcastle.⁸ If you meet him there any services you render him will be done to a true Philosopher.

Yours ever | John Tyndall

RI MS JT/1/TYP/3/792

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