22nd January, 1892.
Allow me in some few words to point out to you, dear Mr Wilson, that it may at present be preferable, to place the Herbarium under the Department of Agriculture. This would simplify matters, as I find incidentally, that the process of transferring the Herbarium to the Trustees of the Public Library is complicated.1 Doubtless the final place of these incomparable collections should be at the Library-Museum, but as I may live yet a little longer, if I am not worried, it would be best to let me go on for a while directly under a Government Department, especially as the new great technologic Museum is yet to be built, at the Library ground. I will carry on the work of the Herbarium out of my pension, if I only can remain in honorary administration. A simple Cabinet Order to this effect and for the temporary transfer of the collections to the Agricultural Department would suffice, so far as I can see, but that you will know best. You cannot imagine in what mental agony I am at this undeserved downfall.
Yours &c.
(Sgd.) Ferd. von Mueller
Please cite as “FVM-92-01-22a,” 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