John Murray (Challenger Lodge) an Ernst Haeckel, Edinburgh, 31. August 1900
Challenger Lodge.
Wardie.
Edinburgh.
31 August 1900.
My dear Haeckel
I have now made up my mind to go to the East. I am not yet quite sure which way I will go. I may go by the Canal and stop ten days in Ceylon, or I may go by America, Japan and China. In any case I will be in Singapore about the 5th or 6th November || and I will then go down to Christmas Island in one of the steamers going down to load with phosphates. On leaving Christmas Island I am likely to stop at Batavia for the purpose of visiting Buitenzorg. If you will leave a note for me at Singapore to say where you will be in November and December || I will try to see you. I would like to know your address in October for I hope that you may in that month (which is the month of awards) receive a gift from this country .
My wife and all the family are now very well, and I will be free in the course of ten days to make all my arrangements || to start for the East. My wife is anxious I should take a young nephew with me to look after me as, like you, she thinks I am getting old. Perhaps I may do so.
I wish you a most happy and successful voyage, and I hope I may meet you in the East during this winter.
Remembrances to all your family.
Yours
John Murray.