To John Shillinglaw¹    14 June 1896

Sunday, 14/6/96

Am much touched with your kind letter received yesterday,² dear Mr Shillinglaw, and I fully recognize the generous sentiments, evinced by yourself and by mutual friends of ours towards me. But I have repeatedly expressed my views to some of those "near and dear" to me, that public tributes, such as you so feelingly intend also for me, should only be bestowed after the recipient had passed away. Then I have further desired from the few with whom, as otherwise alone in the world, I am in confidence, that any token, which are also bodily to preserve the memory of myself, should not be a bust, but a half size painting. This view I have ever held, because of the lifeless appearance of marble- or bronze-busts or statues, on account of the want of visual expression, and I further suggested that any oil painting of which I possibly may be deemed worthy in a public place should be kept under Glass. My views clash with ancient aesthetics and time honored traditions and customs, and as it must be painful to anyone to foresee what was done should only come into use after his death, it will be best to leave all your friendly intentions for the present. If it is still then be preferred that a bust should be prepared, then the cast for it or the other necessary measure could be taken in my last illness and be sent to the Artist, whom also I highly admire. As regards a place for such a monument I have asked long ago confidential friends, who promised to what little requires to be done, for one, who has no worldly property whatever left, that any portrait shoud be put either in a place at the University, as I was there through many years an honorary examiner for the degree of M.D., or that the portrait should find a location in the "Turn-Verein" where English and German members have largely and so happily met during the last 30 years. On the public Library I have no claims; my regretable cessation from the bot Garden lessened my opportunities so much, to work for the technologic Museum, that any special remembrance of myself there, would be inconsonant with real claims and this view I have as a special wish expressed years ago and ought to prevail. It is very different with our never to be forgotten sterling Newbery, and it will also be quite different with Sir Fred McCoy and Colonel Ellery in what I trust will be a distant time to honor their special work by a bust.

Ever with regardful and grateful attachment

your

Ferd. von Mueller.