
          to assume the duties of a position I
may not be able to discharge satisfactorily.
Perhaps you are not 
aware that I suffer from partial
deafness, to such as extent that
I am in a measure cut off from 
ordinary social intercourse. In my
family & among my friends this is
well known & provided for, but
I fear it would be an obstacle in
a lecture roon & before a class
of students.

I may add also that I feel a 
becoming distrust of my abilities
for such a new & untried sphere 
of action, never having been engaged
in teaching Botany in schools or
colleges.

Thanking you therefore very cordially
for the friendly interest you have
taken, & also for the compliment
        