3/3/96
Da ich recht ängstlich fühle, lieber Herr Best, werde es für mich eine rechte Wohlthat sein, wenn Sie mir, sei es auch nur durch wenige schriftliche Worte mittheilen wollen, was das Resultat Ihres freundlichen Besuchs in St Kilda gewesen ist. Hoffentlich kann ich mich über diese Stimmung dort in dieser kritischen Periode beruhigen.
In Bezug auf die geographische Versammlung wäre es doch wohl am Besten, dass Sie den Musiker, welche Sie nannten u der mir unbekannt war, gütig zu mir senden, wenn er Neigung hat das Componiren der wenigen kurzen Schluss Verse meiner Rede zu versuchen.
Mit innigen Dank
für alle Ihr Güte
Ferd. von Mueller.
3/3/96
Since I feel very anxious, dear Mr Best, it will be a real benefit to me, if you will tell me, be it even only through a few written words, what has been the result of your kind visit in St Kilda.1 It is to be hoped I can set my mind at rest over this mood there in this critical period.2
With respect to the geographical meeting, it would probably be best that you kindly send to me the musician, whom you named and was unknown to me, if he has the inclination to attempt the composition of a few short concluding verses to my speech.3
With sincere thanks for all your kindness
Ferd. von Mueller
Melbourne.
It is not known to what event or events M is referring, but see M to H. Best, 9 March 1896, for his continuing concerns that may refer to the same events, and if so provide a small amount of additional detail.
M gave his third Triennial Address to the Victorian Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia on 20 May 1896. The minutes of the meeting do not record any musical finale; see Transactions of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Victorian Branch) (1897), vol. 14, pp. 14-15.
Please cite as “FVM-96-03-03b,” 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