The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS. ¶ Sir,— ¶ ¶ Since the attempt of forming in the Botanical Gardens a collection of tame animals met with such general and encouraging interest from our visitors, I hope you...

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58.01.00

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to the Editor of the Argus, 1858-01. 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//letters/1850-9/1858/58-01-00-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Destruction of the tame animals in the Botanical Gardens', Argus, 2 January 1858, p. 4 (B58.01.01).

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.

Sir,—

Since the attempt of forming in the Botanical Gardens a collection of tame animals met with such general and encouraging interest from our visitors, I hope you will permit me to express through your columns my deep regret of the destruction of ten of these poor creatures, which were killed by dogs during New Year’s Night.

Circumstances are connected with this unfortunate affair which leave no doubt that the dogs did not spontaneously intrude into the gardens, and it is to be hoped that the perpetrators of this crime will not escape the arm of justice.

Arrangements will be made for the full protection, during the night as well as the day, of any animals which hereafter may be added by donation to the few remaining ones; and I trust the banks of the lagoon will soon be enlivened again, and that malevolence will not once more succeed in depriving the gardens of the additional attraction which the little menagerie lately exercised.

Most obediently,

FERD. MUELLER.

On the same page as this letter, the following report was made: ‘Dr. Mueller, the Government Botanist, and Director of the Botanic Gardens, has communicated to the Detective Police particulars of some apparently malicious injuries to the public property which have been committed within the last two days. On the afternoon of Wednesday, the 30th ult., the grass inside the reserve attached to the gardens was set on fire, it is supposed by some boys residing near the locality; and on the night of the 31st two of the tame animals kept in the wire inclosure were destroyed by dogs. Dr. Mueller is under the impression that this last injury was not caused by dogs accidentally getting at the animals, but that it was wilfully perpetrated, and he offers a reward for the conviction of the perpetrators. Should any of the acts above mentioned be brought home to any persons, they, perhaps, are not aware that the punishment would be very severe; and it is to be hoped they will not long elude the vigilance of the police.’