Lubbock probably did not dine with the Darwins on 2 March 1863, as CD was ill; Emma Darwin recorded his condition in her diary (DAR 242): he was ‘sick several times’ during the course of the week, ‘faint in night’, and ‘languid & heavy’ every morning. Charles and Mary Elizabeth Lyell had been invited to stay at Down House for a few days at this time, from 1 to 4 March 1863, but their visit was cancelled (see letter to J. D. Hooker, 5 March [1863]).