Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'The Royal Society', Argus, 4 November 1863, p. 5 (B63.14.03).

Hall of the Royal Society of Victoria,

Oct. 15.

Sir,—

As members of the Council of the Royal Society of Victoria, the duty devolves upon us to bring under your favourable notice that it is proposed to raise a permanent fund, to be invested in state debentures, of which the interest is to be devoted exclusively for the publication of select and important papers read before the society.

2

See M to J. Haast, 27 June 1863.

In order to attain this object, it is deemed advisable to appeal to those residents of Victoria who, by their social position, have it in their power to give to our proposition a kind support, and to invite them to become contributors towards this publishing fund, for which the life subscription is fixed at £10 10s; and with this view we beg now to bring our wishes specially before you. The society pledges itself to watch over the administration of the revenue thus arising with the most scrupulous care, and to furnish, free of expense to the subscribers during their lifetime, all the publications which will emanate from the interest of this literary fund, trusting that we shall thereby be enabled to offer an adequate return to the supporters of the society. To give practical effect to this plan, it will be necessary that at least 200 subscriptions should be obtained; but it is scarcely needful to point out how, by every additional subscription, the permanent revenue of the society, and therewith its importance and usefulness, will be increased.

The Royal Society of Victoria has during its existence, partly from its private resources and partly by aid of Government subsidies, published a series of volumes, and established thereby a regular interchange of publications, with many kindred British and foreign societies —an interchange which it is highly desirable should be maintained. The society, moreover, possesses a hall for its meetings, its library, and its collections, and may, therefore, be regarded so far consolidated; but whilst the society, with its present resources, is readily enabled to carry out its routine work, it is unable to bear the expenses of printing any of the papers read before it.

In claiming your co-operation in so important an object as that pointed out, we beg to draw your attention to a recent resolution, that subscribers to the publishing fund may become life members of the society, subject to the existing rules, without any further subscriptions.

The practical usefulness of this society, and its permanent relations with similar institutions in all parts of the globe, will depend in a great measure on the favourable response which we hope will be given to this appeal.

Trusting that you will favour the council with an early reply, we have the honour to remain, sir, yours obediently.