To Francis Barnard   17 June 1886

17/6/86.

Your kind letter of yesterday,¹ dear Mr Barnard, informing me of my unanimous election as one of the Patrons² of the great and flourishing Field-Naturalists Club, calles³ forth the warmest sentiments of gratitude; and I will endeavour to fulfill the expectations, which by this highly honorable distinction the members of the Club have set on my cooperation and aid.

I can not hope, that many years are left me to be among the living; but in the short remaining portion of my life, it shall be a prominent aim of mine, to share in the labours of the Club, — more particularly in accelerating and facilitating those researches, which have been one of the main objects of my worldly career, and which by the guidance and inspirations of the eldest workers, such as myself, can then also be here commensurately sustained by the more youthful in your Association for decennia to come.

With my grateful Regards to the President Council and Members your

Ferd. von Mueller.