Some weeks' absence in South Australia, where l was with my poor brother1 in his last illness,2 has brought the work in my still almost helpless department in arrear. I am also just engaged to bring out the first part of a school book on native plants,3 and l am not at all well. Under the circumstances I must ask the club to wait for a few months in reference to a lecture. To be of real use such lecture requires to be written and, some new points need elaboration, all of which takes time; I must claim the indulgence of the club till the latter half of the year.4
Edward Wehl, the husband of M's sister Clara, died on 11 February 1876 (M to J. MacPherson, 11 February 1876).
M went to South Australia on 5 February 1876 (M to J. MacPherson, 7 February 1876) and returned to Melbourne on 19 February (M to J. MacPherson, 19 February 1876). See also M to J. Hooker, 24 February 1876 (in this edition as 76-02-24a).
The book was not proceeded with in its planned form, but the text was effectively used for B79.06.04; see Lucas, Maroske & Brown-May (2006), pp. 37-44.
The lecture, printed as B76.05.01 and continuations, was delivered on 27 May 1876.
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Correspondence' in the report of the meeting of the Ballarat Farmers' Club held on 18 March 1876, in Ballarat star, 20 March 1876, p. 2. It was introduced by 'From Baron von Mueller, as follows:—'. The letter was 'received'.
Please cite as “FVM-76-03-00a,” 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