From Iwanne Müller1    23 May 1842

Nubel2 23rd. May 1842.

My good dear Ferdinand

Do not be angry dear brother at not receiving a letter you know how it is with other people. Thought it my duty to write to the Mertens first — You will want to know how I like it here — Between we two it is quite nice, apart from the Minister's wife — we are quite friendly — I can learn a lot here, but it is dreadfully lonely, and what is Winter going to be like. If it is too small in the room, in Summer one can get out. Am sorry you left in a hurry and did not see anything.

There is a beautiful garden with 3 large apple trees, which I shall enjoy later on. All kinds of fowls — and what belongs to the Country — plenty work! I hardly know my hands — so rough — next Summer will try and get into the City. Just now Mrs. Jensen of Sonderberg3 has left.

This morning we had the Inspector of Schools to breakfast — he had fricadeln,4 cheese, & bread & butter. For dinner, Wine soup, Sorrell5 with eggs, smoked goosebreast, roast pigeon, and preserves, and afterwards cake.

In general we live simply, so much porridge is eaten, we have it twice daily and the servants three times.

Hope you a happy trip home.

If I am in danger of homesickness a year will soon pass.

You don't see any one here but peasants in one sense of the word. If they bring anything from the pastor they get tea and rye bread.

The Pastor's wife has no friends and I can't because every one here talks Danish.

One thing I am glad about we are not very formal, and everything goes easily. I do not like too much formality as you know.

The Minister is a jolly man, he says I have a nice sister and a smart quick brother — If you were only always as smart as you were here!

He had an old piano somewhere, and had it brought out.

However I cannot play on it, the tone is not worth anything. Next time the Verger comes, he is to tune it; I can imagine the sound after the Verger has been at it! ...6

I collected some botanical specimens for you, which are field flowers.

In the garden are some lovely dark violet colours — If I see them again will keep some for you.

Your Sister

Iwanne.

1
Letter not found. The text used here was 'Translated in Sydney from the German', and placed in Louise Wehl's scrap-book.
2
Nübel.
3
Sonderburg.
4
Rissoles.
5
A species of Rumex native to Europe, with an acid taste. The leaves are used as a salad vegetable.
6
translator's excision.

Please cite as “FVM-42-05-23,” 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 26 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/42-05-23