To Frederick Standish   9 April 1869

9/4/69

 

I feel much obliged for your courtesy, dear Capt. Standish, in informing me of the death of the poor old cart horse, so long worked in this garden. You would scarcely credit it when I say, that in 1852 (17 years ago) the old horse was already condemned as too old for work.1 The creature may have attained an age of at least 40 years. Thanking you for allowing it to enjoy its pension so long, I remain, dear Captain, your regardful

Ferd. von Mueller2

1
On 2 March 1853 Henry Ginn, Colonial Architect wrote to the Colonial Secretary, William Lonsdale: 'I have the honor to report for the information of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, that the horse attached to the Botanical Gardens, [...] about three months since, is now in Such a State of decrepitude being continually Subject to Spasms, that I am apprehensive great damage may be caused to valuable plants, by the horse falling on the Beds.' Ginn asked for permission to dispose of the horse or have it shot, and to purchase a new horse. Lieutenant Governor La Trobe commented: 'very strange that the horse is allowed to walk about the garden!' Ginn was instructed that if he could purchase a new horse out of his monthly budget then he could do so (B53/2251, unit 185, VPRS 1189/P, PROV).
2
MS annotation by Standish: 'Seen'.

Please cite as “FVM-69-04-09,” 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 24 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/69-04-09