To Ellis Rowan   3 March 1896

3/3/96.

Your genial letter,¹ dear Madam, has reached me, the one of the 17 Jan, and I feel very much indebted for the generous sentiments, which you evince towards me, and for the spirited exertions, made by you in the antarctic cause. All the more grateful acknowledgement is due to you, as your glorious achievements in floral art are absorbing so much time and thought and you should thus not be withdrawn from your own splendid and important engagements. We can all be sure that you will win new laurels in the incomparably rich flower-fields of South-Africa.² I cannot express, how elevated I felt on your behalf, when you related the extraordinary interest which our gracious Queen bestowed on your exquisite work,³ and that her Majesty should have alluded in so condescending manner also to myself, is one of the greatest triumphs of my life! As you evince such vivid interest in the progress of antarctic discovery, being an Australian, let me say, that Britain by possessing more territory in the far south than any other nation, ought not to remain unrepresented in the new discovery voyages for which now preparations are made.

The American expedition contemplated seems postponed,⁴ but Germany, Belgium and Norway seem to get ready with their expeditions for the summer 1896-1897 already.⁵ Mr Borchgrevinks enterprise⁶ will be, as perhaps first suggested by me as most adequate, one for traversing the icy table lands plateaux towards or beyond Mt Erebus and Mount Terror, so that it will not be naval exploration, nor do I feel sure, whether it can be considered strictly a British enterprise, — but it will be very important in its own way. President Markham⁷ will not likely get together the very large fund, which a three years expedition by 2 steamers is estimated to cost, nor as you ascertained could in these politically disturbed times ships be obtained from the Royal Navy. My idea is, that a British Naval Exped. should still be got ready to operate in the farthest south next season (96-97) that its preparation and outfit be limited to 2 summers and one winter, so that only half the costs would be incurred, that Graham's Land, not so very far from S. Africa which has a good harbour and often open water, should be the basis of operation, that the South-African Government with which I communicated at the time of Lord Loch, should contribute to the expenditure, in which also probably N.S.W. and Victoria would share. All this could still be arranged preparatorily within the next few months, if S. Africa was communicated with by telegrams. Britain would thus not be forstalled! As for steamers the Scotish whaling and sealing vessels would serve well and have Commanders and Crews accustomed to ice-voyages.

I had a very kind letter also recently from President Markham of the Royal geogr. Soc.⁸ who introduced to me last month 2 midshipmen from Lord Brassey's training ship.⁹ Perhaps you could visit President Markham, to whom Lord Brassey has also referred me, or transmit this letter to that distinguished Geographer.

Britain will also derive new commercial and industrial advantages from these voyages of its own, and not be shut out from the scientific discoveries, having always since the time of Capt Cook stood leadingly or singly in antarctic researches.¹⁰

Ever regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller