Nubel1 2nd. Dec. 1842.
Dearest Ferdinand,
Have just finished a long letter to Auntie and Bertha. I'll have to write to you, though no answer from you — perhaps our letters will cross. I expect one this morning for sure. Will just shortly tell you the Minister2 has a housekeeper from Schleswig, an elderly person who knows everything — and I am to pack by May. I should leave Nubel with a glad heart, if I did not have the thought where will the next be, and what disagreeableness shall I meet with, and what will worry you, and my poor sad heart, which has often caused sighs and tears — with one word — I am unhappy, and have just expressed my sorrow to the Tonning3 people.
The housekeeper treats me so badly. Oh what a horrible person she is. She always gives me to understand that I am not wanted here. These things are not her business — why does she say them to me, and not the Minister's wife. I am annoyed every day that I have to stand it — and if I had a position for Feb. I would not stay till May.
One gets tired of life here. Please dear Ferdinand talk to the Mertens I would rather have any other position now in a household.
I would like to ask another favour of you — could you not write out a prescription for me — and tell me a good house medicine. I have been ill for a fortnight, no appetite and am often sick after eating, and then get so weary, and it seems as if it was all stomach trouble. Seems so strange otherwise I have no abdominal pain.
People who have not seen me for a fortnight say I have got thin, and am always so pale. The whole matter running me down so dreadfully.4
Give me your advice.
I would have liked to have talked to a doctor, but all such a business here. How are you dear Ferdinand. Ask Albertine5 to write soon.
You were right you thought my time would be half up in November.6 Thank goodness that is correct.
I would not stay here for half the world. Good bye dear brother.
Give me the pleasure of a long letter soon.
Your sister
Iwanne.
Nübel.
Pastor Johann Hagen, Iwanne's employer.
Tönning.
Iwanne died of tuberculosis in 1845.
Albertine Warder?
Iwanne is referring to her position in the Hagen household. See Voigt & Sinkora (1996) p. 20.
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-42-12-02,” 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