Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

7/12/83

The honorable Graham Berry, M.L.A.,

Chief Secretary.

Sir

I have the honor to inform you, that I returned last evening from the mild lower regions of Mt Macedon, to which to go for the sake of my health you kindly allowed.

1

See M to G. Berry, 8 November 1883 and M to G. Berry, 22 November 1883 (in this edition as 83-11-22a).

Altho' my cough has lessened in severity, it may be necessary to seek the pure air of the country again, and I would therefore beg to ask your permission to proceed to some secluded healthy rural place soon for a few weeks more,

2

See M to G. Berry, 17 January 1884 (in this edition as 84-01-17a).

it being understood, that I conduct my office duties there, the correspondence being sent on to me and my literary work going on in the country as well.

3

Cover notes on the file show that M's letter was delivered on the same day and that the Under Secretary, T. Wilson, immediately approved M's request on Berry's behalf. On 13 December M minuted his reply 'with best thanks for permission to proceed to Drysdale, where I shall conduct correspondence and other office-work for the next few weeks, benefitting — I trust — at the same time from the sea air'.