25/8/65
Dear Sir William
Since writing to you I learn, that the library of poor Lindley cannot be secured in the manner, I hoped.1 This is very sad. Possibly by your applying to Sir Charl. Darling,2 his Excellency might ind[uc]e his advisers to place a special sum on the estimates for the purchase of the books & collections.3 If so the whole should certainly go to my department.
Regardfully your
Ferd. Mueller
I just receive a letter that the Parliament library would probably secure £100 - - worth of the books,4 I will write again by next mail but if other chances exist for the sale they should not be lost5
Would you kindly let me know your final opinion on the Australian Cyathea.
Cyathea
See M to W. Hooker, 20 August 1865.
Governor of Victoria.
W. Hooker was dead before this letter was written; there is no evidence in the Colonial Office files that any such approach was made by any supporter of Lindley.
Letter not found.
For the attempt to sell Lindley’s library and herbarium to Australia see Lucas (2008). M had heard of the offer, initially to NSW, before Lindley wrote directly to him (J. Lindley to M, 29 August 1865). After Lindley’s death, his botanical library was sold to the Royal Horticultural Society for £600.
Please cite as “FVM-65-08-25a,” 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