To Redmond Barry   5 October 1868

5/10/68.

 

By the last mail, dear Sir Redmond, arrived a beautifully illustrated volume of "wild flowers around Melbourne"1 The 13 plates, which it contains, were not only drawn from nature but also lithographed by the authoress, the sister of Mr Charsley, the Attorney of our city. I venture to direct your kind attention to this publication, thinking that it might find an apt place in your great public library, the book being of such local interest. It can be obtained from Mr Charsley at 2 guineas.

With regardful salutation

Ferd. von Mueller

1
Charsley (1867). The work carries the dedication ‘To Ferdinand Mueller, M.D. F.R.S. Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, This Album of Wild Flowers is very gratefully dedicated by the Authoress.’ In her preface, Charsley remarks: 'Dr. Mueller, to whom I have with great pleasure dedicated this Album, proved the truth of the proverb, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." I cannot sufficiently thank him for the valuable information he has supplied me with, without which I could not have arranged my letter-press; nor can I think without admiration of the wonderful facility which he showed in his power of explaining botanical mysteries, proving himself the thorough master of his profession.'

Please cite as “FVM-68-10-05a,” 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 19 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/68-10-05a