Dear Sir

I am much obliged by your kind note.¹ I should be very glad to make your personal acquaintance & no introduction was in the least necessary. I fear however that we cannot meet just at present. I have long been much out of health, & lately I have been working very hard & am quite knocked up; at the best of times I cannot converse with any one for more than half an hour or so; & at present I should be incapable even of this much exertion. Therefore I beg you to propose some future Sunday. But I am going on the 31^st or 1^st for a week to my brother’s house 6 Queen Anne S^t Cavendish Square, for complete rest,² & expect that two or three days will set me up. Down is rather an awkward place to reach, & if it would suit you better to come to London on the 4^th or on one of the few succeeding days, I should have great pleasure in seeing you. I would suggest your coming to luncheon, & then we could have some talk afterwards   But in this case please to inform me that I may keep myself fresh

My dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | Ch. Darwin