To Edward Ramsay   22 August 1878

22/8/78.

 

I was aware, dear Mr Ramsay, that I missed my chance for going to New Guinea in the War-Ship. But even, had I been in time, I could not have gone, because I underwent an operation for haemorroides,1 & as my health had suffered so much in "the struggle for existence"2 I suffered very greatly & was kept on the bed for two weeks and shall not be able for several days yet, to move about

Moreover the rainy season will just have set in by the time I came there or perhaps soon. My estimates are also not yet passed, and if I do not watch the still trifling votes and counteract the constant traducing misrepresentations concerning my administrative ability, I might drift into the debt of ruin so it will be best, to wait to the commencement of the next dry season.

I have interchanged letters with Baron Micklucho-Maclay3 since he is in Sydney4

Many thanks for your kindness to offer me shelter under your roof. I am glad you can manage to procure some Diatomaceae. I am still excessively weak, I have not slept for 12 nights

Your letter came only this day

Regardfully

Ferd. von Mueller5

 

Diatomaceae

1
M had undergone two operations in 1859 for a similar complaint; see Darragh (2001), p. 393.
2
The title of ch. 3 of Darwin (1859).
3
N. Miklouho-Maclay.
4
Letters not found.
5
The file contains an envelope addressed by M to 'Edw. Ramsay Esqr FLS, CMZS., &c &c Director of the Museum Sydney'.

Please cite as “FVM-78-08-22,” 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 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/78-08-22