15/2/82
I write a few lines, dear Dr Hector, to ask, whether it is likely, that your Government would follow the example of N.S.W, in printing for general distribution in N.Z. a new edition of my select plants. The last was pushed in 1880 (during one month) through the press in the Gov. printing office in Sydney.2 Since then several or even many additions have been made, and as I my health3 is fluctuating (after 34 years incessant toil in Australia and 7 years studies before), I like to see an other edition out in my life-time. You know, that one appeared in Melbourne, one in San Francisco,4 one in Calcutta,5 one (a german) in Cassel6 and one in Sydney.7 The N.Z. Edition would be the largest of all, about 450 octavo-pages. I require no remuneration as author, but like to have some copies for maintaining literary interchanges. I should feel honored, if on the title-page your name appears as N.Z. editor.8 Of course the whole would depend on the good will of the Chief Secretary of N.Z., whose name I not even know, unless Mr Dick's Ministry is still in power. I met the honorable Mr Dick during the international Exhibition9 in the N.Z Court & he was remarkably friendly to me. I was juror in 3 divisions for the Exhibition, and did what I could for N.Z. also, though each juror had only one vote.
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller.
Please cite as “FVM-82-02-15b,” 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 25 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/82-02-15b