To William Thiselton-Dyer   1 January 1895

Newyears’s Day

1895.1

 

In first instance, dear Dr Dyer, I wish to offer my best felicitation to you and Sir Joseph at the verge of the year. May the annual space of time, into which we are now passing be replete with joy to him and you and those nearest to you. I have to express also my best thanks for the list of Mr Reader’s last fungs. It was at once sent to him as coming from Kew.2

As regards the extra-print on Papuan plants, you will have meanwhile found out, that it was a chapter from Sir Will. Macgregors report for 1893-1894.3 The complete Document was sent by me to Kew since; you will have observed, that it contained another chapter on New Guinea plants, of which by an oversight in Brisbane no extra-impressions were provided.4

I have written mainly during the holidays the Presid. Adress for the geographic Section of the Austral. Assoc., to be held this month in Brisbane. But it is impossible for me to make 2 or 3 weeks free for attending personally at the meeting. In the inaugural adress I have alluded specially also to Sir Joseph.5

In addition to the heavy ordinary routine-work, especially rural and manufactural since the financial sufferings of the Colony, I conduct also extensive annual examinations of Students as an honorary work, e.g. Veterinary College, Horticultural College, Working Mens College, Education-Department &c.

Of course, every one is expected, to help on more than ever the colony, especially while it is in distress, and the professional administrators of branches of the public service must exert them selves most particularly. Thus I find that my correspondence in 1894 reached nearly 6000 letters, mostly from my own hand even. My working hours are at an average 16 daily, on Sundays 12 so as to allow of Church service. More than half my salary is spent to keep the establishment better going, a sacrifice I could not afford, had I a family. I have no property left, so as to add therefrom to my income. But I am quite content, as a “modus vivendi” still exists.

Ever with friendship

your

Ferd von Mueller.

 

Am very glad, that your father in law still pushes antarctic research6

Never heard of Mr Brian Hooker or his Lady since they left for West-Australia7

 
1
Date stamped Royal Gardens Kew 4 FEB 95 and annotated in red ink by William Hemsley:W.B.H.
2
Letter not found.
3
We have the report | W.B.H. is written in red ink by William Hemsley againstWill. Macgregors report for 1893-1894, which is also marked with a blue pencil line in the margin.
4
B94.11.01, B94.11.02.
5
M referred to Joseph Hooker among the ‘nestors’ of Australian geographical exploration as ‘the last surviving officer of Sir James Ross’s Antarctic expedition’ (B95.13.11).
6
Am very glad, … antarctic research is written in the margins of the front of f. 70.
7

Never heard of Mr Brian Hooker … West-Australia is written in the margins of the back of f. 71.

See M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 23 July 1894.

Please cite as “FVM-95-01-01,” 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 24 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/95-01-01