To John Downing   20 October [1873]¹

Dear Sir.

I have been much gratified by your letter.² It is in the highest degree satisfactory to me to find that a man with such large experience as yourself agrees with what I have deduced to a considerable extent.— I should much enjoy seeing you here, but I am in some perplexity   I have lately been ill with some secondary head affection, & my doctor urges me not to exert myself by much conversation.—³ In fact I can rarely talk with anyone for more than half an hour & sometimes for not so long; though I am able to do a good deal of scientific work if without any excitement— Our nearest station is Orpington on the S.E. R^y4 (starting from Charing Cross) & my house is 4 miles from the Station. I cannot think it would be worth your while to lose almost a whole day in London to come down here for $\frac{1}{2}$ or $\frac{3}{4}$ of an hours talk— Would it not be more convenient to you to write to me from Ireland?— But if you like to come I shall be pleased, In this case please to come by the train leaving Charing cross at 10^o 35’ & take a fly at Orpington and you will arrive here at 11^o 45’ Note. This is my best time in the day. We will lunch at 12^o 45’ & then you can leave at 1^o 20’ for Orpington for train which starts at 2^o 4’ for London; All this sounds very inhospitable but I can assure you that I have no choice in the matter;⁵

Thanking you for your very kind letter, I remain | Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin.

If you come kindly inform me by Post Card of the day.