To Paul Maistre1    23 March 1892

23/3/92

 

Only this afternoon, dear Consul Le Maistre, I became aware, that a French Warship was here, otherwise I would have paid my respects earlier to the Admiral and Officers at your Consular Office at once;2 and now even I can only do so by letter, as I am not at all well, and thus obliged to keep within my room. I beg however to send for the kind acceptance of the Admiral and the Captain each a book,3 which may be worthy of their acceptance and may prove useful during their voyages occasionally for reference.

That I have not become a stranger to French savants I may show by the fact, that only yesterday I received a most kind letter from Professor Milne-Edwards,4 and some few weeks ago a splendid letter from Prof. de Quatrefages, just only some days written before his death.5

As I live at so great a distance and the distinguished visitors will have their time so fully occupied, pray let them not trouble about me, because I sent merely these books.

Always regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller

1
MS annotation by [Maistre]: 'Transmis et Répondu le 24me' [Sent and replied the 24th].
2
Dubourdieu, a French naval cruiser of 3,300 tons and 21 guns arrived at Melbourne on 16 March 1892. Its officers included Rear Admiral Emile Parrayon and Capt. Basson. See Argus, 18 March 1892, p. 4.
3
Books not identified.
4
Letter not found.
5
Letter not found. A. Quatrefages de Bréau died on 12 January 1892.

Please cite as “FVM-92-03-23b,” 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 26 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/92-03-23b