19/5/63.
My dear Phemy
From the enclosed circular1 you will perceive, that I could not well avoid joining the academic procession.2 Mr Heyne will attend on you & Mr M'Haffie & secure for you a good position, where I can join you. The enclosed invitation3 was adressed together with one to me. Had I known Ladies were to be invited on board of the Djambi, we would have postponed our visit. As it is, I suppose it would look strange if we went a second time. I will reply to the Captain when I have the pleasure of hearing what you say on the subject.
With love yours
Ferd. Mueller.
Circular not found.
M was among those, including professors from the University and other dignitaries, who assembled in their academic robes in the Governor's pavilion during Melbourne's elaborate public celebration on 19 May 1863 of the marriage of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Denmark that had taken place on 10 March 1863; see Argus, 20 May 1863, p. 2.
M’s letter is accompanied by a printed invitation to ‘Miss Henderson’ dated 15 May 1863 from Commander Van Rees of the Dutch warship Djambi that was visiting Melbourne at the time, requesting the honour of her company to view the ship on Wednesday 20 May at 12 o'clock: 'The favor of an answer is requested, addressed to the Netherlands Consulate'.
Please cite as “FVM-63-05-19,” 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