To Joseph Hooker   11 July 1882

11/7/82

 

The "Austral" of the Oriental1 Line, dear Sir Joseph, proceeds this evening to England, and altho' I have not generally written by that line, but always by the P. & O.2 Mails, I just forward a few words to tell you, that considerable literary sendings and several letters were forwarded to you during many weeks past, none of which may reach you in these times of belligerous tendencies.

Itwould be a pity if through the Eastern political complications any mails were lost at Suez, as it is always difficult to bring up arrears arising through such losses. But, of course, that is very insignificant in comparison to the horrors & the sadness arising out of actual warfare. The torch of war is easily thrown to ignite but the flames are not so readily suppressed.3

As the Government mail may not be available to me in my Department, if the Suez Canal remains closed, I shall write by the Oriental Line, but I cannot frank extensive sendings by that line.

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller

 
1
i.e. Orient.
2
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company Limited.
3
A bankrupt economy in Egypt from about 1875 resulted in European intervention in its political and economic affairs, principally by France and Britain. Resentment led to internecine wrangling and opposition to the Khedive. In June 1882 France and Britain sent naval forces to Alexandria. In September 1882 the British sent an expeditionary force to the Suez canal. It rapidly overthrew the opposition, occupied Cairo and made Egypt a British Protectorate.

Please cite as “FVM-82-07-11,” 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/82-07-11