Victoria R. I.1
AUSPICIUM MELIORIS AEVI2
Victoria by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India, Sovereign and Chief of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Ferdinand von Mueller, Esquire, Companion of Our said Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Doctor of Philosophy Doctor of Medicine Government Botanist for Our Colony of Victoria: Greeting.
Whereas We have thought fit to nominate and appoint you to be a Member of the Second Class or Knights Commanders of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, We do by these Presents grant unto you the Dignity of a Knight Commander of Our said Most Distinguished Order. And We do hereby authorize you to have, hold and enjoy the said Dignity as a Member of the Second Class or Knights Commanders of Our said Most Distinguished Order, together with all and singular Privileges thereunto belonging or appertaining.3
Given at Our Court at Balmoral under Our Sign Manual and the Seal of the said Order this Twenty fourth Day of May 1879 in the Forty second Year of Our Reign.4
By the Sovereign's Command
George5
Grand Master
By the Sovereigns Command
C. Cox6
Grant of the Dignity of a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George to
Ferdinand von Mueller Esqre C.M.G. Ph.D. M.D.
&c &c &c
Regina Imperatrix [Queen Empress]. The Queen has signed the document at the top.
'Token of a better age', the motto of the Order of St Michael and St George embossed on the badge.
The copy held in London differs in minor details from the final version transcribed here.
See also R. Herbert to M, 30 June 1879 (in this edition as 79-06-30a).
Prince George, Duke of Cambridge.
The text above Cox's signature is in a different hand.
MS bears the seal and the richly coloured badge of the Order of St Michael and St George at the top of the letter. A draft form letter of this Royal Warrant, authorised by George, Duke of Cambridge and Charles Cox, Grand Master and Chancellor of the Order, is held at National Archives, London, CO 447/33, Order of St. Michael and St. George, 1879, vol. I, Despatches, warrants &c.
Please cite as “FVM-79-05-24,” 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