The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 30/6/89 ¶ ¶ I feel much touched, dear Professor, with your generous felicitation, at the happy event of new recognition of Australian Science from France, ¶ an event, which like many others should r...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M35, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 89.06.30

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Frederick McCoy, 1889-06-30. 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/89-06-30>, accessed September 11, 2025

30/6/89

I feel much touched, dear Professor, with your generous felicitation, at the happy event of new recognition of Australian Science from France,

M had been awarded, 'by an order dated 4 May 1889', the French decoration 'Croix d’Officier du Mérite Agricole'; see L. Faye to M, 16 September 1889. The award was announced in the Argus, 28 June 1891, p. 5.

an event, which like many others should rather be regarded as an encouragement to research in all Australia, than as a reward for what little I may have done myself.

Nevertheless I recognize most gratefully the generous sentiments of the French authorities towards me, feeling only embarrassed at the impossibility of aiding rural interests, as I anxiously would, if I was more prosperous. What an amount of good work might yet be done, particularly in culture, if ready means were only available!

Let me trust, my honored friend, that also your great and long exertions in the cause of science be soon more fully recognized. The likely arrival soon of a highly distinguished son of a powerful science friend of yours at home,

There had been speculation in the press that the successor to Sir Henry Loch as Governor of Victoria would be the Marquis of Lorne, the son of the 8th Duke of Argyle, FRS and vice president of the Royal Society of London, 1883-84 (see Argus, 24 June 1889, p. 5). Argyll had paleontological interests. The speculation was mistaken: John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun, was appointed.

should lead to additional and so well deserved honors for you from British throne.

McCoy had been appointed CMG in 1886 and was promoted to KCMG in 1891. See Lucas (2013a), pp. 23-4, for the circumstances of these appointments, which followed active pleading by McCoy.

Ever with regardful and grateful remembrance

your Ferd. von Mueller