14/12/85.
This morning, dear Mr McDonald, I received the consent of Col. Disney,1 for our Council2 to join bodily the procession in poor General Scratchleys funeral.3 We will need 2 two-horse Broughams, as all the corporate bodies are sure to have all fine carriages, drawn by two horses. This I explained also yesterday to the Rev. W. Potter, who will bring this morning the adress to lady Scratchley for your approval; it seems to me best, that all members of Council should sign it.4 Perhaps you will kindly telegraph to Capt Pascoe,5 to come to your office for early signature.
With regardful remembrance
your
Ferd. von Mueller.6
Will you kindly draw for me, when the pictures are raffled.
Just received your letter of Saturday.7 Will be happy to make an hour or two free for spending at your friendly home with the French geographer8 on Tuesday evening after 8.
No letter from Disney has been found.
i.e. of the Victorian Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia.
Scratchley contracted malaria while in New Guinea as special commissioner for the new British protectorate. He died at sea between Cooktown and Townsville, Qld, on 2 December 1885. His body lay in state in his Melbourne home before his funeral on 16 December.
Address not found.
C. Pasco.
MS annotation: 'Baron Von Mueller Dr Bride F. Scarr J. McD. Larnach A. C. Macdonald W. Potter'.
Letter not found.
Not identified.
Please cite as “FVM-85-12-14,” 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