Melbourne botanic Garden,
18 Febr. 1869.
It affords me much pleasure to testify, that Mr E. B. Heyne has been engaged during my Directorship for nearly 12 years in this botanic Garden, at first in the horticultural branch and soon subsequently also in Office-duties, having been raised to the higher position, requiring trust and special ability, when I noticed his display of zeal and knowledge. Thus this Gentleman has for a long time aided me in some of the official correspondence and kept the principle account books of this establishment for a series of years to my full satisfaction, while I found him also constantly willing to assist me in my administration of the Garden work. Indeed I should have been glad to have retained his services for all such higher duties, as at any time I might wish to entrust to his care.1 It is pleasing to me to add, that I can bear testimony also to Mr Heyne's high moral principles.
Ferd. von Mueller,
Ph.D., M.D., F.RS.
Government Phytologist and Director of the botanic Garden of Melbourne.
In the 19th century, a testimonial was typically sent to the person requesting one and treated as an open document for use by the recipient, often by printing it along with the other testimonials supplied. Occasionally the letter might concern a specific role but was still sent to the person requesting it, who then forwarded it; see, for example, M to J. Hector, 5 December 1870 (in this edition as 70-12-05a), and notes thereto.
Heyne moved to SA where he opened a business as wholesale and retail seedsman and florist; see M to F, Barlee, 28 February 1869, and the advertisement for his business in Rundle Street, Adelaide (South Australian register, 31 March 1869, p. 1).
Please cite as “FVM-69-02-18b,” 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