Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot. & zool. Garden,

25. Nov. 1861.

My dear Dr Brownless.

Since your kind explanation of the exact duties, involved by the acceptance of honorary Examiner in Botany, Materia medica, Therapeutics and Prescriptions in the medical faculty of the Melbourne University, I have, at your desire, reconsidered the proposal, with which I was honored by the University Council,

1

See also M to J. James, 7 November 1861.

and on reflecting, that the examinations are likely to take place during an autumnal month only in each year, and that it will thus be less difficult for me to devote amidst other engagements the necessary time and attention to the new office in question, I regard it incumbent on me to accept (in conjunction with Dr Eades) the appointment, which the University Council deemed me worthy of entrusting to me, should you and your excellent colleagues experience difficulty in otherwise filling the vacancy, a step which I still beg to recommend most respectfully to the University-Council.

Expressing my best thanks for the friendly interest, which you so kindly evinced on this occasion towards myself, I remain

Dr. Brownless,

Vice-Chancellor of the University

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