Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot. Garden,

Christmas eve

1870

Let me thank you, dear Sir Redmond, for your friendly letter of this day, and for your wishes to support me in my researches, through the public Library.

1

Letter not found.

On one point you are under a wrong impression, namely that the Government gradually provides books for my Department. When I was so ill in 1867 I wrote you from Queenscliff

2

Vic. Letter not found.

that such is not the case, and not a single book has been purchased on public expense for my Department for 5 years past; so all had to come out of my slender income. When 5 years ago the Government purchased my library, I only asked half the second hand value of the books. I think that I am right in asserting, that for a series of years past scarcely a single book was purchased for the public library of those, suggested & required by me. I am sure you will deem it fair, that an equitable share of the fund available should be given also to the phytologic section, at the same time when the other divisions of the Library are provided.

3

See M to R. Barry, 24 December 1870 (in this edition as 70-12-24b), for M's suggestions of botanical works that the Library should acquire.

I am just pleasingly surprised in obtaining copies of the able adress, delivered by you in Ballarat

4

Vic.