The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: University of Coimbra ¶ Botanic Garden ¶ Baron von Mueller ¶ ¶ I should have written to you a long time ago, but I kept waiting impatiently for some brochures I had been told about by Messrs Goëze an...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M197, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 73.03.26b

Preferred Citation:

Júlio Henriques to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1873-03-26 [73.03.26b]. 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/73-03-26b>, accessed September 19, 2024

UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA

JARDIM BOTANICO

Monsieur le Baron de Mueller

Je devrai vous avoir ecrit, il y a longtemps, mai j'attendai toujours avec impatience quelques brochures, que m'avai ete annoncées par Mrs. Goëze et Moller, pour vous en remercier. Malheureusement je n'ai pas encore recu une seule.

L'année dernière je vous ai propose membre correspondant de l'Institut, association scientifique, que nous avons ici a Coimbre. Votre nom honorerait cette association. On vous a admis et j'ai chez moi la participation et le titre. Je vous envoye celui-ici et les statuts. Je ne sai si vous comprenai le portugais, mai c'est d'usage les envoyer. Je devrai vous avoir demandé Votre assentiment. J'espère bien que vous m'excuserai et que vous accepterai cet titre en signe de consideration et de respect et d'amitié aussi.

Mr. E. Goëze a, malheureusement, abandonné notre Jardin peu de temps apres que j'ai eté nommer directeur. Il va a Lisbonne, pour le futur jardin de l'Ecole polytechnique.

J'espère bien que votre generosité envers le Jardin ne finira avec son depart et je suis bien persuade, que votre nom continuera a etre placé au premier rang des protecteurs de Jardin botanique de l'Université de Coimbre.

Votre superbes fougères ont souffert un peu l'été derniere a cause du peu d'humidité. Heureusement a present ils poussent a merveille. On va meme construire une serre aqua[…] a sa conservation.

Voyez, Monsieur le Baron, si je peut vous etre utile et agreez les signes de mon respect et consideration.

Coimbra, Jardim botanico, le 26 Mars 1873

Julio A. Henriques

University of Coimbra

Botanic Garden

Baron von Mueller

I should have written to you a long time ago, but I kept waiting impatiently for some brochures I had been told about by Messrs Goëze and Moller, to thank you for them. Unhappily I have still not received a single one.

Last year I proposed you as a corresponding member of the Institute, a scientific association we have here in Coimbra. Your name would honour this association. You were admitted and I have at home the participation and the deed. I am sending you this and the statutes.

See Society of the Institute of Coimbra to M, 27 March 1872, and M to J. Henriques, 13 June 1873. The statutes in Portuguese that are mentioned have not been found.

I don't know if you understand Portuguese, but it is customary to send them. I ought to have asked for your assent. I very much hope that you will excuse me and will accept this deed as a sign of esteem, respect and also friendship.

Mr E. Goëze unfortunately left our Garden a short time after I was named as director. He has gone to Lisbon, to the future garden of the Technical College.

I very much hope that your generosity towards the Garden will not end with his departure and I am convinced that your name will continue to be placed in the first rank of patrons of the Botanic Garden of the University of Coimbra.

Your superb ferns suffered a little last summer because of the low humidity. Happily, at present they are pushing marvellously. We are even going to build a […] greenhouse for [their] conservation.

In Jornal de horticultura practica , vol. 5, 1874, p. 158 (August), it was reported that the greenhouse intended to receive the ferns was completed.

See, Baron, whether I can be useful to you.

With respect and regards,

Julio A. Henriques

Botanic Garden, Coimbra, 26 March 1873