To Roderick Murchison1    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 enterprise2 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 favorto myself.

Ever, dear Sir Roderick

most regardfully

yours Ferd. Mueller3

1
Written on mourning paper.
2
Crossing Australia from S to N, Burke and Wills Expedition.
3
Annoted, in ink, in Murchison's hand "Dr Mueller | to answer | 1862"

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 24 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/62-06-12a