Ɛpsilon

To John Phillips   1 September [1858]1

Down Bromley Kent

Sept. 1

Dear Phillips

I have just been told that I am advertised for the great honour of Pres. Zoolog. Sect. Brit. Assocn. 2 I have never heard a word on subject before; and my health would not permit me to attempt so arduous a duty. Moreover, I am sorry to say, several circumstances will prevent my attending at Leeds.

I have lost no time in informing you of this mistake; for mistake I presume it to be, as I certainly have not heard a word on subject.—3

Dear Phillips | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

1
Dated by the reference to the 1858 meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (see n. 2, below).
2
CD refers to the presidency of Section D (zoology and botany, including physiology) of the forthcoming meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Leeds. John Phillips was the assistant general secretary of the British Association.
3
Charles Cardale Babington was president of Section D at the meeting, 22–9 September 1858.

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

2.1 no] interl

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-2324,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-2324