To Joseph Hooker¹    8 September 1884

Private

8/9/84.

In first instance, dear Sir Joseph, let me thank you for the copy of the new edition of your "Students Flora",² which renders a splendid work still more perfect; it reminds me of Koch's Taschenbuch,³ with which and Kittels two pocket-volumes⁴ I commenced to make myself acquainted with the north-german and south Danish flora, so much like that of the lowlands of Britain, more than 40 years ago. This sending was the first sign of thoughts regarding me for 3 Governments mails, 3 having passed without my hearing of you or Mr Dyer. I do not think, that so long a break in the Kew-correspondence or Kew communications did occur since I took office under Mr Latrobe, except when in the earlier years I was out on long exploring-expeditions. However I myself did neither write much lately, though I never missed any mail, to send something, and manifested also in other ways my continued loyalty to Kew. That I was not in the spirit of writing much, you will understand, when I say, that for more than 3 months this winter I was not able to leave the sickroom on account of my severe cough, though I continued to keep til midnight's hours on the writing table.

Under the grace of divine providence I feel however so much better, that I could leave the mansion of my generous hosts, Dr and Mrs Büttner and as the Apricots commence to flower now and as mild vernal air is setting in again, I can hope for fuller recovery, and trust that I may be spared for a few years more work, though at best I cannot hope for many more! — Let me hope, that Mr Bentham regained sufficient strength, during summer, to enable him with joyful contemplacy the onward-march of his favorite science, with which through the unrivalled extensiveness of his phytographic researches he must remain identified for all ages!⁵

It was my intention, to proceed to the dry desert-country beyond the Wimmera⁶ for some field-work, as one stretch of country there was formerly not accessible to me, especially as all my medical friends agree, that the warm dry spring air (away from the cold Antartic winds here) would do me good; but the rabbits are now swarming there in the sandy country by the hundreds of thousands; and I learn, that in some places all herbaceous vegetation is fed down by them, so that it may require an alteration of my plan, it having been my wish, to see the numerous spring-annuals on the S. Austral boundary-line for the completion of records on the Victorian flora; but they seem now doomed to extinction by the excessive multiplication of Rabbits in a winterless clime like that in the hotter parts of this colonial territory.

I was still too ill, when the new Governor, your late chief,⁷ arrived, to attend the Levee; however I waited on his Excellency a few days ago, and was much inspired with new confidence into my future by the gracious manner, in which I was received; indeed Sir Henry Loch reminds me much of Sir Henry Barkly; and I feel sure, he will act to me in the same manner as the latter would, if he was here. Her Ladyship I have not yet seen. This interview with the new Governor has alleviated my mind of much embarrassement, as he is likely to take some interest in my fate and my work. The anxiety, which I had for some time, was this: what was to be the fate of my collections in the event of my death! In confidence I may add, that a hostile Minister would have the power to force me out of the Gov. Service on a small pension, when I get to the age of 60 years; but as I was appointed before the Civil service laws came here in force, the former rights are secured, and I have every reason to believe, that the Ministry will leave me undisturbed in possession of the herbarium and library so long as my eyesight and my other physical and mental strenght will last. It would render me still more miserable, if any kind of invasion took place on me, my natural temper not being of a kind, to yield to curtailing of administrative power and competition in work, though the plea might be set up, as was the case in reference to my loss of the garden, as Mr Casey put it: to "relieve me of drudgery".⁸ Kindly remember, how wisely the British Ministry and the House of Commons acts. Sir Richard Owen ceded from the active Directorship of the Nat. Hist. Museum at 80. Your never to be forgotten Parent was called to the Directorship of Kew when he was nearly my own present age; and we all rejoice, that yourself remain undisturbed in your directorial functions and emoluments at Kew.⁹ As regards monetary affairs of my own, I become abjectly poor since I had the Garden resources withdrawn from me. I feel sure, you above all will not countenance any interference should such arise with me, while I am still able to carry on my administration, even should extra monetary provision be made for additional staff, which is quite unlikely. My present Ministerial Chief, the hon. Graham Berry, has the best of feelings towards me!

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller.

Mr Berry has allowed me, to employ Mr Renner as an amanuensis in my Museum, where a vacancy happened to occur.¹⁰ I have not only the moral responsibilty to initiate him into a life of earning, but also into an occupation of learning something for the benefit of his future; crude work elsewhere would mean loss of time in young life to no purpose.

The seeds of Manihot Glaziovi[i] kindly sent by you, have produced plants of extraordinary rapidity.

Manihot Glaziovii