To Francis Barnard   10 April 1885

10/4/85.

Greatly feel I honored, dear Mr Barnard, to be again invited, to allow myself to be placed in nomination for the Presidency of the Field Naturalists Club. While fully recognizing the consideration, shown me, I would beg to point out, that the usual tenor of the two years office should in my opinion also be accorded to your zealous and learned President, the Rev. Mr Halley, who has only as yet occupied the presidential chair for one year.

Moreover I would beg to bring under the kind notice of the Council of the Field Naturalists Club that for the next 12 months very heavy official extra work will weigh on me:

1, engagements for the colonial Exhibition in London.¹

2, elaboration of the "Key" of Victorian Flora, to be finished in 1885.²

3. completion of the first of the two parts of the illustated monography of Myoporinae.³

4, issue of a new and enlarged Victorian Edition of the volume on "select plants for industrial culture and naturalisation".⁴

5, attention to the arrangements for keeping the New Guinea Expedition in the field, so far as the Vict. branch of the Geogr. Soc. of Australia is concerned, and elaboration of the probably large thus forthcoming papuan phytologic collections. In view of all this, and particularly in considering the urgency, with which the "Key to the Vict. Flora" is demanded I have been obliged already, to give up the intention of elaborating the extensive botanic collections, which Dr Guppy of H.M. Ship "Survey-Ship Lark" had especially formed on my request during 1884 in the Solomon Islands; and I was thus compelled (deeply to my regret), to ask Dr Guppy, to take these collections to Sir Joseph Hooker, as I should under the multifarious engagements of this year not be able to examine these collections of Dr Guppy thoroughly in time for his forthcoming work.⁵ Furthermore I would like to mention to the honored Council of the Club, that altho' my cough is less, yet my general strenght is not so good as in former years; and I am thus now forbidden to work regularly very late in evening- or night-hours. Thus also out of consideration to my health I feel, that I ought not during a series of months add to my obligations, and would therefore beg, that the Rev. Mr Halley's Presidency be continued. At the same time I will declare myself ready, to become, if desired so then still, next year the Rev. Gentlemans successor, should divine providence grant me life and strenght til that time.⁶

With grateful appreciation of your and your honored Colleagues consideration your

Ferd. von Mueller