Letter from Sir Joseph John Thomson, Cambridge, to an unamed correspendent

[printed on the stationery:]
Holmleigh,
West Road,
Cambridge

Apl. 16. 1907

Dear Sir,

I must apologize for the delay
in answering your letter, which came
when I was away from Cambridge.
I greatly appreciate the compliment
which your Society has paid me by
asking me to become the President
for the next year. It would have
given me such pleasure to
comply with your request if it
had been possible. Unfortunately I
have already more engagements than
I know how to find time for & my


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leisure for the next few months
will be very much curtailed
as we are on the point of
beginning the building of a new
Laboratory, and the supervision
of this will require a great
deal of my attention. Although
I am unable to accept the
very flattering proposal you
have made to me I thank you
for it most heartily.

Believe me
Yours most sincerely

J. J. Thomson