Dear Sir

I thank you for your long and interesting letter.¹ I am not a quick thinker or a good talker, and you would learn nothing from me on the many important subjects which you have discussed. Moreover I labour under a great disadvantage (the effects of many years ill-health.) that I am not able to talk long with any one. It would therefore by no means be worth your while to come all this distance to see me for an hour. I should, however, much regret not to make your personal acquaintance, and as I am sure to be in London in the autumn, I will then ask you to lunch with me, should this plan prove convenient to you.²

I hope that your book may be largely read, but it is very difficult to get a hearing, so tremendous is the rush of new ideas and of new work of all sorts.³

I remain Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Charles Darwin.