To James McCulloch   19 May 1866

Melbourne botan Garden

19/5/66.

Sir

I have the honor to ask, whether it would not be arranged, that through the kind mediation of the honorable Geo. Verdon during his stay in Europe a metal fountain were secured for the botanic Garden. A substantial work of art, such as the honorable Gentleman might be pleased to select in one of the capitals of Europe, is much needed in our establishment & would be worthy of a prominent place in so beautiful a spot. I may be permitted to point out, that hitherto no fund has been spent in works of the kind and that as in other metropolitan parks a good deal of means has been devoted for fountains & statuery, You might be pleased to chose so opportune a moment of providing also some ornamental artistic structure of solidity for this garden. Had I not deemed it needful to help in first instance all the public institutions for obtaining plants (more than 300,000 of such) having been gratuitously distributed during my Directorship, I should have had the fund to provide casts & fountains. I am under the impression that under so judicious a management as that of the honorable the Minister of finances £300 (three hundred pounds Sterling) would suffice to realize the wish I have ventured to express in this letter.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your most obedient servant

Ferd. Mueller.

The honorable the Chief Secretary

&c &c¹