From Ferdinand von Mueller to Thomas Wilson   12 Dec 1888

Private

12/12/88

Allow me to ask, dear Mr Wilson, by this preliminary note, whether you will give your kind support to an idea of mine, that the members of the Medical Congress¹ be provided each with a copy of the "Select plants".² In the Medical Journal of last month it is distinctly stated that the Premier will give special support on behalf of the Government to the Congress. This book would be a graceful gift, all the more so, as the book contains so many notes on medicinal plants. About 2000 copies are printed, so that a few hundred could well be spared; the work is not costly; it is sold at 5/, and costs the Governm. very much less. Moreover the work would thus become still more widely known, and the sale promulgated all the more also. I feel sure, Mr Deakin would be favorable to such a small souvenir being presented with an inscription "on behalf of the Government."

May I state that in 1886 I purchased my own works at the Gov. Printing office out of my private means to the extent of £54.8.6. in 1887 to £45.13.2. in 1888 to £49.3.9. all for merely keeping up my litterary intercourse, without gaining the slightest reimbursement, and so it has been for a long series of years, quite irrespective of the much larger book-accounts I pay privately in London annually So this little help offered me would be a nice return.³

Regardfully your

Ferd von Mueller

If I had any private means at all, I would purchase the copies myself.