Newyears eve 1881
I rejoyce with you, dear Sir Joseph, that Mr Bentham is spared us,1 and I trust that my prediction of his living into the next century will be fulfilled, though I shall not live to see the end of his great labors. I look forward to his genera of grasses with deep interest, and feel sure they will be kept by him in a conservative spirit.2
You and he will have some work yet, to bring up the arrear of genera of the last 20 years connectedly as a supplement. I still hope, that a volume in conformity will be issued on the Mosses, lichens, fungs & algs.
My census of Australian genera with chronologic & literary indication, including cryptogams, has gone now nearly through the press, the printer having received the finishing msc. some time ago.3 Unfortunately I shall not be able to profit from Mr Bentham's "gramineae" in time. A copy ought to be ready for you, complete, by next mail.
Though long post festum you will kindly accept my felicitation to the new year.
Ferd. von Mueller.
Your friend General Sir John Lefroy honored me at my poor place with a call, so his Excellency4 can describe to you how miserably I am situated here.
From Dr Rudall, who just returned, I learnt to my regret, that he did not succeed to see you at the Medical Congress,5 though he was able to present my letter of introduction to Dr Virchow there.6
Please cite as “FVM-81-12-31a,” 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 2 May 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/81-12-31a