Document information

Physical location:

MS papers 37, folder 207, no. 568, Haast family papers, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. 67.02.25

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Julius Haast, 1867-02-25. 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/67-02-25>, accessed September 11, 2025

Melbourne, im Staatsgarten
25/2/67.
Sie haben grosse Ursache, edler Freund, mit mir unzufrieden zu sein, in Folge meines langen Schweigens. Wenn ich aber sage, dass mir diese grossartige Ausstellung dreifache Pflichten aufbürdete, die einer der allgemeinen dirigirenden Commissionäre, die eines executiven Vertreters für Queensland u die eines professionellen Forschers — wenn ich ferner sage, dass ich weit entfernt von Wohlsein war, u dass ich noch dazu Unannehmlichkeiten durch die ungewöhnliche Organisation meines Departments hatte, so werden Sie wohl dem Freunde entschuldigen wenn es ihm wenn nicht absolut an Musse so an Muth gebrach zur schriftlichen Unterredung. Als Arzt habe ich den schwankenden Zustand meiner Gesundheit auch genau zu bewachen u ich muss mir selbst sagen, dass ich nicht zu viele Stunden täglich schreiben darf. Dies aber kann ich mit Wahrhaftigkeit behaupten, dass ich Ihrer u Ihrer fast grenzenlosen Güte oft, recht oft gedachte.
Nun aber zur Hauptsache. Ich beglückwünsche Sie aufs Innigste zur Geburt Ihres neuen Namensträgers, der viel vergnügte Freude ins Haus bringen wird. Dann schulde ich auch noch meinen Glückwunsch zum kaiserlichen Ringe. Sie haben ihn brav verdient. Mögen Sie ihn lange u beglückt u geehrt tragen. Ich werde selbstverständlich eine Gegengabe für die Moaknochen machen. Aus dem beigefügten Schreiben ersehen Sie dass Ihre 2 Kisten von Mr Knight besorgt sind. Zur Zeit dieser Herr ist noch nicht wieder vom Scharlachfieber genesen u so habe ich Ihn persönlich nicht sehen können.
Ich habe Frösche für Ihre Acclimations Gesellschaft zurecht stehen. Ist es aber wirklich gut diese Quacker in Ihre stillen Thäler zu bringen? Sie werden Lärm genug anschlagen. Ich habe die Schwalben noch nicht einfangen können, die Ihr Secretär wünscht.
Ihre Gemahlin seelich grüssend u Sie freundlichst in Gedanken behaltend
Ihr
Ferd Mueller
Es wäre gut Hr Knight direct zu fragen, wieviel Unkosten er gehabt für Ihre Sendung. Wir haben keinen ganz freundlichen Stand zu einander
1
MS annotation, presumably by Haast: 'vortrefflicher Aufsatz für die | Melbourne Ausstellung' [an excellent essay for the Melbourne Exhibition]. Essay not positively identified.
Melbourne, in the State Garden,
25 February 1867.
You have much cause, noble friend, to be dissatisfied with me on account of my long silence. But when I tell you that this grandiose Exhibition
2
Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia, Melbourne 1866-7.
has imposed a triple burden on me: that of one of the general superintending commissioners, that of an executive representative for Queensland, and that of a professional scientist, and when I further tell you, that I have been far from well, and that in addition I had unpleasantness through the unusual organization in my Department,
3
See M to J. McCulloch 25 February 1866 (in this edition as 66-02-25a), and M to J. McCulloch, 10 March 1866 (in this edition as 66-03-10a).
you may perhaps forgive your friend, when he was lacking, if not entirely the spare time, yet the energy for written conversation. As a medical man I also have to watch over the vacillating state of my health and I have to tell myself, that I must not spend too many hours a day writing. But this I can state in all truth, that I have often, very often thought of you and your almost limitless kindness.
But now to the most important subject. I congratulate you most sincerely on the birth of the new bearer of your name, who will bring much joyful cheer to your home.
4
Haast's second son, George Augustus, was born on 7 February 1867 (H. F. von Haast (1948), p. 479).
I also owe you my congratulations on the imperial ring.
5
Haast 'was presented by the Emperor of Austria with the badge of Knighthood of the order of Francis Joseph, founded in 1849, in recognition of the good services rendered by him to science during the past five years … [The decoration] is pretty to look at as well as pleasant to own. As Dr. Haast is a British subject, he will be compelled to ask leave from the Crown to accept this foreign decoration' (Lyttleton times, 25 July 1865, p. 2). (See notes to C. Darling to Duke of Newcastle, 22 February 1864 (in this edition as M64-02-22), for regulations concerning acceptance of foreign decorations.) The Lyttelton times, 5 October 1866, p. 5, later reported that they had been 'favoured with the view of a very handsome ring, which has been presented to Dr Haast, our Provincial Geologist, by the Emperor of Austria, in recognition of the services which he has rendered to science. The ring consists of a large emerald set in two rows of brilliants.'
You have truly earned it. May you wear it long and happily and honoured. Of course I shall make a reciprocal gift for the Moa bones.
6
See M to J. Haast, 3 June 1866.
From the enclosed letter you will see that your two cases have been taken care of by Mr Knight. At present this gentleman has not yet recovered from scarlet fever, so I have been unable to see him personally.
I have frogs standing in readiness for your Acclimatisation Society. But is it really a good idea to introduce these croakers into your quiet valleys? They will certainly make enough noise. I have not yet been able to catch the swallows your secretary desired.
With happy regards to your wife and keeping you most kindly in my thoughts,
your
Ferd. Mueller.
It would be good to ask Mr Knight directly what expenses he has had for your consignment. We do not have particularly friendly relations to each other.
7
J. G. Knight. M had some disagreements with him, see M to Knight, 17 July 1866, and Knight to M, 17 July 1866 (in this edition as 66-07-17a).