From Ferdinand von Mueller to Alphonse Milne-Edwards   1 Jan 1894

Newyears's day

1894.

In first instance, dear Prof. Milne Edwards, let me offer my best felicitation to the new year. May the annual space of time, on which now we are entering, be replete with joy to you and those near to you. Next I like to show you my continued interest and wish, to add to the treasures of your great Musée. Dr Rougier brought you the ♂ ♀ and young of Dendrolagus Lumbholtzi,¹ the only family group of this rare species in any museum yet; and I had ready for him for the present home voyage of the "Australien" other contributions for you; but he has arranged to stay in Sydney for 3 months; so Dr Momont, his "locum tenens" takes now to you a specimen of the very rare Myrmecobius fasciatus, a collection of Australian Bird-Eggs correctly named. He also takes to you a living pair of Corvus Australis, which you perhaps will kindly hand over to Chev Saint Hilair² for the Menagerie at the Bois de Bologne and a complete volume of my Eucalyptography bound³ It is now very difficult to secure a complete copy of this large work, and I would beg of you to present it to the Library of the Institute.⁴ I have never sent there any of my works, but if it is desired I can send some others, having in all published about 40 volumes. But perhaps the Institute-Library may have many of these already.

Now (entre nous) I like to mention, that I may become a Correspondent of the Institute, before I pass away, entering soon on my 70th year. I am the only Scientist left who worked in Australia before the gold-period. I explored about 30,000 miles length in Australia on foot or horse, was even the first in most parts of the Australian Alps, so that much of this travelling was also geographic being President of the geogr. Soc. here since its foundation.⁵ I was in active communication with De Caisne and Brogniart⁶ already 40 years ago. I contributed largely to French Science Museums and Libraries through all these years. I was mainly causing the vast introduction of Eucalypts into the South of France and Algeria. Prof Cornu can say much more.

Now, dear Prof Milne Edwards, will you tell me candidly and soon, whether my last great ambition in life will likely be fulfilled early, as my health is fluctuating and I may not live an other year.⁷

your

Ferd von Mueller

I hope the next mail will bring me news of the arrival of the wonderful Marsupial Mole from central Austr. sent some months ago

It cannot be surprising, that as Senior of Australian Naturalists I should wish to be the first Australian who becomes Corr. Memb Inst.