29/1/84.
When expressing to you, dear Sir Richard,2 my felicitation for a new year of happiness and health and all other wordly3 enjoyment to you, I was ill on the seaside, and then not aware, that our gracious Sovereign had conferred on you the mark of royal favor, with which you commence the new-year.4 Let me then, as one of the foremost of your admirers, tender now my gratulation at so happy an event, trusting that you may be long spared in unimpaired health and mental freshness to enjoy this additional wreath of laurels, which you have won so deservedly.
Indeed to me it has been for years a cause of sorrow, that your pre-eminent position in science had not received a higher acknowledgement, and occasions arose, when I gave frankly expressions to that effect in letters and otherwise.
May then, honored Sir, this recognition, which thousands of men of science all over the globe cheeringly appreciate, add to the gladness of that life, which we all hope will be prolonged in serenity and in triumphant cognizance of great results achieved through very many years yet.
Ever, dear Sir Richard,
very regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller.
Please cite as “FVM-84-01-29a,” 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/84-01-29a