To Euphemia Henderson   22 March 1863

Mordiallac,¹ Sunday night,

22/3/63.

My beloved Euphemia.

It will be best to commence my letter to you at once on this place, as probably little leisure will be left to me to morrow morning for enjoying my correspondence with you; in as much as we will be barely in time to reach Melbourne for attending to Mr M'Haffies business. Cavell did not find, as he anticipated, fresh horses at Frankston. We had thus to rest the tired creatures for some time and reached, altho' we walked all the way, Mordiallac only about 9 p.m., then obliged to abandon the attempt of getting to our destination this night. I am only sorry to be thus unable to communicate to you in this letter such news, derived from home, as may be entitled to your interest.

Walking along in the cool bracing starclear night, I could calmly muse over the incidents of the eventful past of recent days, its lovly pictures passing before my mind almost as a beautiful dream. Could these days of immeasurable happiness, which you instilled in me, but have extended! But it is perhaps best as it is; — for in the ardour of my love, so suddenly kindled, I could not help following you constantly and stretching my arms to embrace the talisman, which so friendly arose to me in you, and thus breaking constantly into the quietude of your mind. I trust you are not restless now and as happy as I am, looking hopefully into the future.

Cavell has been requested by me, to be ready for a start to morrow by daylight. If we reach Melbourne in fair time, I hope to extend these lines further; if not, pray be contented until next week with the expression of my gratitude for your infinite kindness and your gentle and loveful feelings towards me, which always to merit it will be my earnest endeavour.

With the sincerest love & attachments, dear Phemy, yours

Ferd. Mueller.

Please give your sister Georgie² my kindest regards.

The prescription for Sarah Mitchell will be left at Mr Bowens establishment.

Monday morning

Dear Euphemia, beloved bride. Turning over my letters received by the mail, I felt most delightfully surprised, that on the 2d of January the Emperor Napoleon on the recommendation of M. Drouyn de Lhuys has conferred on me the Knighthood of the Legion of Honor.³ I prize this distinction doubly high, as I have neither by service of state nor by nationality any claims on this imperial mark of honor and I am so much more glad to accept it for your sake. I have not yet the decoration.

I have interesting letters from Profess. Reichenbach of Leipzig, Prof Planchon of Montpellier, & several other savants.⁴

Ever yours

Ferd Mueller