From John Gribble1    2 April 1890

Temora N.S.W

April 2nd 1890

Dear Baron Von Müeller

You will be grieved to learn that my parsonage was destroyed by fire on Saturday last, and I have lost all I had in the world. The only thing saved from the ruins was my daughters piano.

The papers which had just come to hand with reference to my election to the R.G.S were destroyed2

We are left destitute. But God is good and funds have been raised up to care for my wife and helpless little ones.

As I should send £5.0.0 at once to secure my Fellowship and having lost the necessary information, would you be so kind as to remit the money for me to the proper parties if I send you the amount for that purpose? I will hope to be able to obtain it though it will be a great struggle. I do not want to forfeit my position in the Society now that it has been through your kindness secured.3

Please write by return of post

Yours Sincerely

John B. Gribble

1

Annotated by M: Answ. 6/4/90 F.v.M. Letter not found.

See M to W. Bates, 6 April 1890, for information on probable contents of the answer.

2
Gribble had been elected as a Fellow on 10 February 1890; see certificate of candidature, November 1889 (in this edition as 89-11-00).
3
On 2 June 1890 Gribble wrote to the Society's Secretary about the arrival of the papers, the fire and his consequent inability to pay ('the insurance of the property had been neglected') adding that his 'sincere friend Sir F. Von Müeller' may already have written about the matter. Gribble sent the payment to the Treasurer on 8 September 1890.

Please cite as “FVM-90-04-02,” 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 25 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/90-04-02