Document information

Physical location:

MS 11663 Royal Society of Victoria records, box 2/2, La Trobe Australian Manuscripts Collection, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne. 60.01.16a

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to John Macadam, 1860-01-16 [60.01.16a]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/60-01-16a>, accessed April 19, 2025

16/1/60.
Dear Dr M'Adam
Increased business for the mail & engagements in issuing my annual report
1
M to W. Nicholson, 12 January 1860.
this week, render it impossible for me to attend at the Council Meeting this day. I would be glad, if my collegues would agree to call a Special general meeting for Monday next, to announce the alteration of title and to receive the postponed paper.
2
At the meeting, held on 23 January, it was announced that the Queen had approved the retitling of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria as the Royal Society of Victoria. Two papers were read at the meeting, their texts being included in vol. 4 of the Transactions of the Philosopical Institute of Victoria, published in June 1860.
Dr Becker will give notice of motion in regard to the printing of the Diploma.
3
At the Council meeting on 16 January, Becker gave two notices of motion, but the draft minutes give no further details. However, one of the motions clearly concerned the Society's proposed diploma, as M indicates, because the draft minutes record that at the next ordinary meeting of the Council, held on 30 January, Becker brought forward the motion standing in his name concerning the diploma but then sought and was granted that this be allowed to stand over. No further reference to this matter has been found (MS 11663 Royal Society of Victoria records, box 1/1, La Trobe Australian Manuscripts Collection, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne).
Our friend Prof. Irving I presume has placed the transactions for sale into a Booksellers hands, otherwise perhaps the Council would perhaps order the measure carried out through you, as it is a mere [...]
4
illegible.
work, which your assistant could well enough perform. I would however not like, that I give therewith any offence to Prof. Irving, but I think early arrangements might better our financial affairs.
I will be happy to attend at the Resource Committee towards the end of the week, if you will kindly call it for reporting progress.
5
In response to a request from the Society of Arts in London, the Philosopical Institute of Victoria had established a committee to report on the resources of the colony. M was chairman of the committee. The committee's report was included in vol. 4 of the Institute's Transactions, published in June 1860.
I forgot the date, when the meeting of the subscribers for the expl. fund is to take place. Would you be so kind to let me know through Mr Kirkland.
I sincerely hope, that poor Nisser's paper will not be rejected!
6
Pedro Nisser had read his paper at a special meeting of the Philosopical Institute of Victoria on 9 January 1860. It was published as part of the Minutes of the special general meeting of the Institute held on 9 January 1860; see Nisser (1860a).
yours with esteem
Ferd. Mueller
There can be no objection to go to the Ballot of the new ordinary members at the Monday meeting.
7
No new members were elected at the meeting on 23 January 1860.
I am ready to answer his Excellencys letter if the council agrees, but you must let me know early tomorrow, otherwise it will be too late for the mail.
8
See M to Duke of Newcastle, 17 January 1860; M to H. Barkly, 17 January 1860 (in this edition as 60-01-17b).