Abstract
ON Wednesday, November 3, a deputation from the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union waited upon Mr. Darwin at his residence, Down, Beckenham, Kent, for the purpose of presenting him with an address expressive of admiration for his long devotion to scientific research, and appreciation of the great and important results to which his investigations have led. Prof. Williamson, F.R.S., of the Owens College, Manchester, who is the president of the Union for the current year, was prevented from accompanying the deputation by the pressure of his professorial duties. The deputation arrived at Mr. Darwin's residence about 1 p.m., and was received in a most hearty manner by the great naturalist himself, Mrs. Darwin, and other members of the family. The members of the deputation were introduced individually to Mr. Darwin by Dr. Sorby, vice-president of the Union, and then the interesting ceremony of the presentation of the address was at once proceeded with. After a few words on the work of the Union by Dr. Sorby, the address was read by Mr. Thomas Hick, B.A., B. Sc., and formally presented to Mr. Darwin by Dr. Sorby. Replying to the address, Mr. Darwin assured the deputation of his deep sense of the honour the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union had conferred upon him on that occasion, and only regretted that he had not done something more deserving of such an honour. He had no idea previously that there was so strong a body of working naturalists in Yorkshire, but was pleased to learn that such was the fact, and to find from the Transactions that had been forwarded to him that they were doing useful work. Coming from such a body, the address was all the more gratifying to him, though he still feared he hardly merited the good things that had been said of him. The address which had been presented to him he and his family would for ever treasure and preserve, and he desired to express his warmest thanks, both to the deputation and those whom they re presented, for it, and for the kind and considerate manner in which everything connected with it had been arranged. Subsequently the deputation were entertained at luncheon, and having spent a short time in familiar conversation with their hospitable host and his family, took their departure amid mutual expressions of kindness and regard.
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Homage to Mr. Darwin . Nature 23, 57 (1880). https://doi.org/10.1038/023057a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/023057a0