Tonning.1 21st. Dec. 1840.
My dear Ferdinand.
Just as we finish the baking there is a chance to send you something — do have a few pieces while nice and fresh.
also sending collar and cloth.
Bertha2 and I thank you for Xmas presents. I am happy because it was my wish for a long time to have an autograph book. We want to give you pleasure — collar and cloth are again fashionable — we bought ½ doz. handkerchiefs, which Clara3 has hemmed. She asked us to tell you this. (Clara was seven years old at the time)4 I think you can use them before they are washed, if not, send back.
Grandfather5 is seriously ill. Uncle came across the Eider and was stuck by the ice — closed in — and carried down 1/2 a mile, at 5.30 people went after him and caught up to him at 8, and as had to go against wind water and ice reached here at midnight. This fright did Grandfather much harm. I am afraid we shall not have him much longer.6
Please dear Ferdinand come, who knows if you will see Grandfather again. To-day he got a Spanish Fly7 on his chest, to remove his pain — more when you come. Bring your other neck cloth and collar and we can have them dyed for you. Still have to pack. Greetings from Uncle, Aunt, Grandmother,8 Bertha[,]9 Clara and your Sister
Iwanne Müller.
Tönning.
Bertha Müller, M's sister.
Clara Müller, M's sister.
(Clara was ... time) is the translator's note.
Johann Georg Mertens.
M's grandfather died in 1844.
A treatment prepared from the beetle Lytta vesicatoria. See Imms (1960), p. 807.
Johann Ferdinand and Magdalene Mertens, Maria Mertens.
editorial addition.
Letter not found. The text given here was 'Translated in Sydney from the German', and placed in Louise Wehl's scrap-book.
Please cite as “FVM-40-12-21,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on