To British Library Literary Fund 5 April 1843

Sir

It wll be entirely out of my power to accept the office of Steward at the Anniv.^y dinner of the Literary Fund Soc.^y on May 10 which the officers of the Soc.^y , have so condescendently proposed to me. My time is almost always so fully occupied that I am unable to take part in proceedings of many Societies in London which it would be the greatest gratification to accept, but especially in the month of May, I shall be obliged to be in Cambridge daily lecturing. I would willingly join the Lit. Fund Soc^y - & may some day feel myself justified in so doing - But at present I am over-weighted with subscriptions, & am anxious for a while to concentrate whatever of time & money I have to share, upon certain schemes I have in hand in my own Parish and neighbourhood. Pray express my regrets to the officers of your Society, that I cannot, or rather must not, accept their proposal, and assure them of the sense I entertain of the condescension is one of respect & gratitude

Yrs very faithfully

J. S. Henslow