Melbourne
16/6/74.
When lately issuing a supplement1 to my "timber-trees"2 and "other industrial plants,"3 dear Mr Darwin, I came across the Ribes Magellanicum and remained doubtful, whether it ought to be included in my "additions". Will you kindly inform me, whether it is a species deserving cultivation. I wish to prepare a second supplement, and perhaps you may remember other plants of utilitarian importance yet to be cultivated, without taxing your precious time. —
As I have occasion to write to you I cannot refrain from remarking, that Mr Edw Wilson, Mr M'Kinnon & Mr Spowers4 must not be aware of the ruin of my Department, mainly due to the cruel and unjust persecution of their two papers after their departure for England. I cannot think that they would have allowed me thus to be ruined, had they not been misled concerning the changes made in my position. All that is left me for working my whole Department with all its responsible daily multifarious duties is £300, which would not even suffice to rent the buildings required for the service in this expensive country, only one room (without fire place) and overcrowded with collections being left me! Altho' I have spent again my whole modest salary to carry on some part of the service through this year, I was unable to maintain the field branch, nor the laboratory branch, nor the greater part of the required interchanges, nor the lithographic work. Indeed the observatory receives 10 times as much for working expenses than my Department, not to speak of buildings provided. Last week a commencement was made to break even down my laboratory. Imagine Dr Hooker as Gov. Botanist of England, out of Kew and performing the duties out of his salary, leaving his family & old age unprovided. What a poor triumph of the proprietors of the Argus, who are well aware that with the scanty means granted no one could have done more for the bot Garden than I did.
Regardfully
Ferd. von Mueller
It is strange that not one of all the men of science of England has taken the slightest notice of my having left no m[ean]s5 beyond £300 to work the important duties of my Department.
Ribes Magellanicum
Please cite as “FVM-74-06-16,” 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 26 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/74-06-16