My dear Sir

It will give me very great pleasure to see you here; but I am bound to add that the state of my health does not allow me to converse with anyone for a long time.—¹

I do not know whether it will suit you best to come here for dinner & sleep, returning next morning, or to come here merely to lunch at 1^o o clock. A train leaves Charing Cross at 11^o 15′, reaching Orpington Stⁿ (4 miles from my house) at 12^o 4′, & you can get a Fly there. You could return by the train which leaves Orpington at 2^o 50′, & this w^d allow you to stay here about 1$\frac{1}{2}$ hour. If you come to dinner & sleep, I w^d suggest Friday, as M^r M^cLennan, a remarkable man, the author of Primitive Marriage will be here, & you might possibly like to meet him.—² Perhaps you will be so good as to let me hear what you decide & I remain | My dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin