To M. D. Conway   19 November 1878

My dear Sir

I shall be glad to join the Association of Liberal Thinkers, & to subscribe whatever is usual.— It does not seem to me right, & this has been my opinion during many years, that a man’s name should appear prominently in connexion with any body of workers, unless he knows personally how the work is carried on. I must therefore decline the honour of accepting any office in the Association or of my name being brought prominently forwards in connexion with it, as neither the state of my health, nor mental habits will allow me to take an active share in the Association; but I sincerely wish that it may prove successful.¹

I remain | My dear sir | Yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin