From Iwanne Müller1    13 January 1842

Tonning2 13th. Jan. 1842.

My dear Ferdinand,

The roads have been bad and there was no opportunity to send a box. Theodore3 was here for a week. We had a happy time, he plays the guitar well. We had lovely evenings of music. On Xmas Day Grandfather got a cloth and Grandmother4 a cap, Uncle a sweet letter weight, Auntie5 an embroidered collar and black kid gloves. Clara and Marie6 each a pretty doll, a hat and a basket. I gave Bertha an apron and sewing basket. She gave me a satin cloth, mittens and gloves. From the Mertens I got 5 piece. Christmas cakes have kept well but do not go far, too many of us. Bertha is well now has lost her backache. She will write next. I am sending you the Autograph book. I have cut out something for you.

Uncle has spoken to the Authorities, he would rather it did not come to auction as it would be disagreeable to have our things carried away. Uncle will pay for them.

Bertha and I talk about it daily it would be strange for us when we haven't the ferry any longer, he also wants to keep the small ferry boat.7

You have not told us what to do for Chilblains. What you sent last did Clara a lot of good. She hasn't any now. Write soon. Bertha sends love. She has been to a ball at Bartelrink — drove the carriage.

Bertha went to dinner with Rievers and enjoyed it.

Your loving sister

Iwanne.

Letter not found. The text used here was 'Translated in Sydney from the German', and placed in Louise Wehl's scrap-book.
Tönning.
Theodor Müller?
Johann Georg and Anna Mertens.
Johann Ferdinand and Magdalene Mertens.
Marie Mertens, M's cousin.
M's mother had held the lease for the ferry business across the Eider River. See Voigt & Sinkora (1996).

Please cite as “FVM-42-01-13,” 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 28 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/42-01-13