Dear Sir/

Prof. Williamson has handed to me your letter with regard to the visit of a small deputation to Down for the purpose of presenting a memorial address to your distinguished father—¹

The Committee have now finally completed their arrangements, and, in order to avoid the delay which would arise from my writing to Prof. Williamson & asking him to inform you, I hasten to communicate them to you at once, hoping they will meet the convenience of M^r. Darwin & family.

It has been arranged that the deputation shall proceed from London by the 11 a.m. S.E. train for Orpington on Wednesday the 3rd of November. The deputation wish to put M^r. Darwin to as little fatigue & inconvenience as possible and will consequently leave Down after the presentation in time to take an early afternoon train back to London.

The deputation will be headed by H. C. Sorby Esq LL.D., F.R.S., late president of the Union (Prof Williamson’s University duties preclude his being able to take his position as President for the present year); he will be accompanied by Messrs. Tho^s. Hick BA., B.Sc., J. W. Davis FSA. &c. William Cash F.G.S., possibly also by D^r. H. F. Parsons FGS., and a gentleman from Huddersfield whose name I will send you when I learn it.² We hope there will not be too many for your convenience, but the difficulty has been to limit the number of our members who wish to do honour to the greatest biologist of our time—

Any further particulars I shall be glad to supply.

Believe me, Yours truly | W^m. Denison Roebuck.