Melbourne bot. Garden
10./4/63
Dear Mr Archer
Accept my warmest thanks for the graceful manner in which as well publicly1 as privately you adressed me in bidding me farewell. My departure for home is not quite positively fixed, since I find it difficult to provide in my department for all my duties during a longer absence and I confess to you, there are moreover ties which endear this country even more than ever.2
If however any thing was wanting to augment the love, which I have imbibed for Australia, it is your manifestation and that of of3 other dear friends of kindful feelings toward myself, feelings of attachment but poorly by me deserved, feelings of interest in my fate by which I feel so honoured, that, if providence grants me life and health, I shall struggle to deserve more than hitherto the proud position into which I have been placed.
Should I not have an opportunity in the event of my departure to bid you personally goodbye, let me assure you that my best wishes for you will follow you & that I look forward with delight to the time when I again shall enjoy your friendship.
Ever, dear Mr Archer,
most regardfully yours
Ferd. Mueller.
Probably at the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, where at its meeting on 7 April 1863, on being informed that M was about to depart the colony on a visit to Europe, the Council unanimously adopted a motion expressing its appreciation of M's services to the Society, and urging him to continue as the Society's Vice-President during his absence (Argus, 9 April 1863, p.4).
A reference to M's recent engagement to Euphemia Henderson.
Word repeated in going from one line to the next.
Please cite as “FVM-63-04-10a,” 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