iSsS TYNDALL AND THE PHYSICAL CHAIR 167 



of attendance and money this is the best meeting the Associa- 

 tion ever had. In point of science, we shall see. . . . Tyndall 

 has accepted the Physical chair with us, at which I am greatly 

 delighted. 



In this connection the following letter to Tyndall is in- 

 teresting ; — 



Aeerdour, Fife, N.B., Sept. 5, 1859. 



My dear Tyndall — I met Faraday on Loch Lomond yester- 

 day, and learned from him that you had returned, whereby you 

 are a great sinner for not having written to me. Faraday told 

 me you were all sound, wind and limb, and had carried out 

 your object, which was good to hear. 



Have you had any letter from Sir Roderick? If not, pray 

 call in Jermyn Street and see Reeks * as soon as possible. 



The thing I have been hoping for for years past has come 

 about, — Stokes having resigned the Physical Chair in our place, 

 in consequence of his appointment to the Cambridge University 

 Commission. This unfortunately occurred only after our last 

 meeting for the session, and after I had left town, but Reeks 

 wrote to me about it at once. I replied as soon as I received 

 his letter, and told him that I would take upon myself the re- 

 sponsibihty of saying that you would accept the chair if it were 

 offered you. I thought I was justified in this by various con- 

 versations we have had ; and, at any rate, I felt sure that it was 

 better that I should get into a mess than that you should lose the 

 chance. 



I know that Sir Roderick has written to you, but I imagine 

 the letter has gone to Chamounix, so pray put yourself into 

 communication with Reeks at once. 



You know very well that the having you with us at Jermyn 

 Street is a project that has long been dear to my heart, partly 

 on your own account, but largely for the interest of the school. 

 I earnestly hope that there is no impediment in the way of your 

 coming to us. How I am minded towards you, you ought to 

 know by this time ; but I can assure you that all the rest of us 

 will receive you with open arms. Of that I am quite sure. 



Let me have a line to know your determination. I am on 

 tenterhooks till the thing is settled. 



* Mr. Trenham Reeks, who died in 1879, was Registrar of the 

 School of Mines, and Curator and Librarian of the Museum of Practi- 

 cal Geology. 

 12 



