From Lawson Tait   12 January 1880

My Dear Sir,

This day month is your birth day and we propose here to have a “Darwin Festival” on a small scale probably, but as hearty and as large as we can secure. May I ask if you would be willing to accept some little expression of our gratitude for your work—say an illuminated address or something of the kind? Also can you refer me to any biographical notes beyond that of “Men of the Time” & Dublin University Magazine?¹ The date in question is the completion of your 70^th. year is it not?—or rather the day before is—& that your 71^st. birth day.²

Our Philosophical Society³ meets that day, therefore arises the opportunity.

Yours truly, | Lawson Tait