From H. J. H. Bond   24 October 1860

Dear Henslow

I cannot at present tell you for certain whether there will be any candidates to be examined in Botany for this M.B. Examination this term, as they are not obliged to send notice of their intention of offering themselves till the Monday previous to the Examination and the only candidate that I have at present received a notice from, is exempted from examination in Botany from having distinguished himself in that Science Tripos in that subject— Still I think there will be one or two to be so examined— When I can, I will give you further information on the matter—

With respect to Examiners not being expected to be present to examine, I really can give no opinion beyond that that the Board of Med. Studies have generally thought it to be inexpedient—Prof ^r Cumming, however, in consequence of his greatly advanced age will scarcely I imagine be present—

There is this difficulty however: it sometimes happens that candidates offer themselves for both examinations for the M.B. degree, but till the result of the 1 ^st Exam is known they cannot proceed to the 2 ^nd, consequently the delay in ascertaining the result from an absentee Examiner might be found very inconvenient—

Believe me | yours very truly |H J H Bond