Ɛpsilon

From Ferdinand von Mueller to Roderick Murchison   12 June 1862

Melbourne bot.

Garden, 12. June

1862

Dear Sir Roderick

It is with very sad feelings, that on this occasion I avail myself of the privilege of your friendship in introducing to you my friend Dr. Wills, the father of the young and highly talented Mr. W. Wills, who under so touching circumstances after the accomplishment of his triumphant enterprise1 fell a martyr to geographical science.

I feel sure, that your noble heart will share in the general sympathy, which we feel for the family of the unfortunate explorer, and it will be a source of consolation to them to be persuaded, that their mournful loss is fully appreciated by you, the leading Geographer of this age.

Any attention you may bestow on the father of the unfortunate traveller I shall regard as a special favor to myself.

Ever, dear Sir Roderick

most regardfully

yours Ferd. Mueller

1

Crossing Australia from south to north with the Burke and Wills Exploring Expedition, 1860-1.

2

MS black-edged; M's sister Bertha Doughty died on 7 September 1861. Annotated, in ink, in Murchison's hand, 'Dr Mueller | to answer | 1862'. Letter not found.

Please cite as “FVM-62-06-12a,” 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 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/62-06-12a