To J. S. Henslow   [26 January 1842]

My dear Henslow

Robert Brown called here yesterday morning asking me to write to you about the election of the Librarian of the Linn: Soc. He thinks it very doubtful, whether D^r. Lemans¹ election (in favour of which he says you signed a paper) will be carried without great exertion on the part of his friends;² & he further states that he thinks the interest of the Society is most deeply concerned in the issue— D^r Leman will not practice as medical man—will, therefore, have nearly his whole time at the disposal of the Soc:— In short he wants to persuade you to come up on the 15^th to vote & I want to persuade you for the sake of seeing you here.—³ Brown also is very anxious for you to mention the case to Babington or any others, whom there would be any chance of persuading to vote.— Do see if you cannot come: I am commissioned to say by my wife how very glad she should be, if M^rs. Henslow could be prevailed on to come— it is a wretched time of year to leave home, but there is always some business for everybody in London, so do state the case to her with our united request.—

As such antagonist powers as Brown & Lindley⁴ are so anxious for Leman’s election it must be a clear case & do try & come

Ever Yours | C. Darwin