Melbourne, 19 Apr. 1894.
It affords me much pleasure to certify, that Mr T. S. Hart, M.A., is known to me as an accomplished Naturalist, who after extensive University-Studies has acquired also practical Field-Experiences in our Colony, and who has evinced an ardent interest in original and progressive researches. His excellent adress and his high character befit him additionally for any position as a teacher in the applied natural sciences at schools of mines or other practical Institutions.
Baron Von Mueller, M. & PhD, LLD, FRS.
In the 19th century, a testimonial was typically sent to the person requesting one and treated as an open document for use by the recipient, often by printing it along with the other testimonials supplied. Occasionally the letter might concern a specific role but was still sent to the person requesting it, who then forwarded it; see, for example, M to J. Hector, 5 December 1870 (in this edition as 70-12-05a), and notes thereto.
See T. Hart to M, 11 April 1894 (in this edition as 94-04-11b) when he was considering applying to the Sale School of Mines and asked M for 'a general note in case I should put in for it or similar places'. M's comments quoted in part in the obituary of Hart by J. H. Willis (1960), p. 111. Presumably this was the same testimonial used in his successful application for lecturer in 'geology &c.' at the Ballarat School of Mines, to which he was appointed on 24 July 1896 (Ballarat star, 25 July 1896. p. 2, col. g).
Please cite as “FVM-94-04-19c,” 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