13/6/68
I am sorry, dear Dr Hooker, that you & Mr Bentham sustain such heavy loss on the genera and icones.1 Let me hope that these works will be a long lasting althoug' tardy source of income. Such works will be in demand for many years and thus finally bring back the outlay, although the investment of the capital is a very improfitable one. There is one redeeming feature however in these transactions, namely that you obtain counter-presents in giving your own works away. I shall not be able to publish many illustrations in future; the departmental and private means will not admit of. Of all existing phytologists I believe I have made the severest private sacrifices in time, monetary means & domesticity. See, my dear sir, you have at least brought up a family to care for you in age; and in what way can a capital be better invested than in the education of hopeful children! — What have I in comparison to show? after my very severe sacrifices — You enjoyed the happiness of cheerful evenings, when I was left in my solitude working early and late joyless away and also under great disadvantage. Possibly however late in life my own prospects may still brighten.
With regardful
salutation
your
Ferd Von Mueller
J. Hooker (1867-89) and Bentham & Hooker (1862-83). G. Bentham to M, 18 January 1868 includes comment about the expense of the joint work; no 1868 letter with similar comments from Hooker has been found.
Please cite as “FVM-68-06-13,” 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