Melbourne bot. Garden
8/10/72
The Case with Euphorbiaceae, dear Mr Bentham, has come back to me in perfect safety since last I wrote. The anxieties in my almost upset Department leave me no rest to write to you just now at length.
I am exceedingly pleased with the progress of the work, and as the Orchideae are on their way to you by the "Somersetshire"-Steamer you will not be hindered or delayed. Should the Orchideae not prove sufficient for finishing the volume, then I will at once send off the Haemodoraceae and any other orders you may wish to include. Should I not write again, then let me ask now already, that my Baronial Rank may be recognized on the title page. I simply ask this for 2 reasons.
1. its omission might throw a doubt on its genu[e]ness.
2. because it is hereditary and I have reason to think it will aid in brightening my future and make me independent by the alliance with an influencial and independent family.1
With grateful remembrance of all your goodness and with my best wishes for your health and happiness
Ferd von Mueller.
In letters from the Duke of Buckingham, Earl Granville, also from the Duke of Argylls Department2 my title is fully acknowledged3
Euphorbiaceae
Haemodoraceae
Orchideae
The family has not been identified. This letter was written three years after a previous fiancée, Rebecca Nordt, had married Arthur Moule (Brown-May & Maroske, 1994). See also Lucas (2013a).
The India Office (Cook & Keith (1975)).
See, for example, Lord Granville to M, 8 December 1871, and the Duke of Buckingham to M, 9 December 1871.
Please cite as “FVM-72-10-08,” 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