The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Private ¶ 9/3/96 ¶ ¶ It would be very gratifying to me, dear Mr Best, if you could again devote some of your valuable time to me, since I am certainly not quite composed. I met the lady, the elderly...

Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M23, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 96.03.09

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Heinrich Best, 1896-03-09. 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/96-03-09>, accessed September 11, 2025

MS is accompanied by an envelope addressed by M: 'H. Best Esq 40 Chapel Street Balaclava'.

Private 9/3/96

Es würde mir recht erfreulich sein, lieber Herr Best, wenn Sie mir noch einmal etwas von Ihrer werthvollen Zeit widmen können, da ich doch nicht ganz beruhigt bin. Die Dame, die ältliche, traf ich beim Schluss des Parlaments, und war sie nicht besonders freundlich, was mir auch das Wohlwollen Ihres Gemahl schmähen mag. Ich fühle mich auch nicht ganz wohl, und um so mehr bedrückt . Diesen Abend und Morgen Nachmittag werde ich aus sein müssen, aber sonst bin ich fast immer zu Hause.

Sie ehrend und Ihnen dankbar

Ferd. von Mueller.

Private 9/3/96

It would be very gratifying to me, dear Mr Best, if you could again devote some of your valuable time to me, since I am certainly not quite composed. I met the lady, the elderly one, at the closing of Parliament and she was not particularly friendly, which might also abuse the goodwill of your wife to me.

It is not known to what event or events M is referring. They may be related to the 'mood' at St Kilda alluded to in M to H. Best, 3 March 1896 (in this edition as 96-03-03b).

I also do not feel quite well and so much the more depressed . This evening and tomorrow afternoon I must be out, but otherwise I am almost always at home.

Respectfully and thankfully

Ferd. von Mueller