Tonning1 13th. Jan. 1842.
My dear Ferdinand,
The roads have been bad and there was no opportunity to send a box. Theodore2 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 Grandmother3 a cap, Uncle a sweet letter weight, Auntie4 an embroidered collar and black kid gloves. Clara and Marie5 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.6
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.
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).
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-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