Melbourne,
9 June 1885.
T. R. Wilson Esqr,
Undersecretary
Sir.
In reply to your letter of the 29 May, I have the honor to report, that the set of the three parts of educational collection of Victorian plants, destined for Ormond College,1 is in excellent order and complete, so that I now beg to return it to you herewith according to your request.2
In reference to the wish of the hon. the Chief Secretary, to be informed of the best way, in which the remaining sets could be utilized, I have the honor to suggest, that one set (copy) might be presented to the pharmaceutic College, of which Mr Blackett is President.3 One set would be useful at the technologic Museum,4 (public Library); one set I should like to obtain for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition in London5 and one for my office.6
As in course of time new Mechanics Institutes and Educational Establishments are likely to be started, which may desire a set, I would beg to advise that the 6 remaining copies be kept for use as occasion arises, as no new copies could be made, unless commencing the whole extensive collecting-process anew. 7
I have the honor to be,
Sir, your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller
University of Melbourne.
On 15 June 1885, Wilson wrote to J. MacFarland, the Master of Ormond College, informing him that the Chief Secretary had agreed that a set of 'the Educational Collection of Plants prepared by the Government Botanist' be presented to the College, as MacFarland had requested, and that this was now available for collection.
On 22 June 1885, Wilson wrote to C. Blackett, Pharmaceutical Society: 'I am directed by the Chief Secretary to acquaint you that he has given instructions for the presentation to the Pharmaeutical College of a Set of the "Educational Collection of Plants" which has been prepared for the Public Institutions of the Colony by the Government Botanist. The Collection awaits delivery to your order at this office.'
On 27 June, H. Shillinglaw, Honorary Secretary, Pharmaceutical Society, replied: 'Please deliver to the bearer the set of the "Educational Collection of Plants" presented by the Government to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australasia'. This letter was minuted on 29 June by G. Shanahan: 'Set of plants received'.
On 8 July, Shillinglaw wrote to G. Berry, Chief Secretary: 'The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australasia desire me to convey to you their very grateful thanks, for the valuable set of the "Educational Collection of Plants" presented by you to the [Museum] of the College of Pharmacy.'
On 22 June 1885, Wilson wrote to C. Newbery: 'I am directed by the Chief Secretary to acquaint you that he has given instructions for the presentation to the Technological Museum of Victoria of a Set of the "Educational Collection of Plants" which has been prepared for the Public Institutions of the Colony by the Government Botanist. The collection awaits delivery to your order at this office.'
Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London, 1886. The 'Educational Collection of Plants' was one component of M's exhibit at the exhibition; see Colonial and Indian Exhibition (1886), p. 78.
M's suggestions were accepted; see T. Wilson to M, 22 June 1885.
On 20 July 1885, A. Lucas, Wesley College, wrote to Berry: 'May I ask you to favour me on behalf of the Wesley College [Melbourne] with one of the typical collections entitled "Educational Collections of Australian Plants" of which I believe a few yet remain in the Government Office?' (C85/7269, unit 258, VPRS 3992/P, Public Record Office, Victoria). This letter was minuted on 21 July: 'How many have we left?'; and the reply: 'about 5 sets'. On 25 July, the Chief Secretary's Department replied: 'I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant applying for an educational collection of Australian plants for the use of Wesley College and to inform you that the Chief Secretary has much pleasure in acceding to your request and that a collection will accordingly be delivered to any person authorized by you to receive it from this office' (C85/7269, unit 258, VPRS 3992/P, Public Record Office, Victoria).
On 30 January 1886, a set of M's 'educational collection' was supplied to the Mechanics' Institute at Shepparton, Vic, in response to a request from the local Member of Parliament, George Graham, MLA, that 'a collection of botanical specimens, dried plants, or anything of the kind that might be spared from the establishment under the care of the worthy Baron' might be made available for the 'small Botanical Museum' being established by the Institute (F86/790, unit 258, VPRS 3992/P, Public Record Office, Victoria).
On 10 February 1886, J. Shillinglaw, in his capacity s secretary to Victoria's Royal Commission on Vegetable Products, requested a set of the 'educational collection' for the Commission and this, too, was supplied (E86/1376, unit 258, VPRS 3992/P, Public Record Office, Victoria).
Please cite as “FVM-85-06-09a,” 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