Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Melbourne Botanical and Zoological Garden', Argus, 13 October 1858, p. S 1 (B58.10.01).

Sir, —

Allow me, in reply to a remark in your paper of this day,

2

On 7 October 1858, 'Humanitas' wrote to the Editor of the Argus calling attention to 'a practice which is at once inhuman and disgraceful, and this is, of parties putting frogs and lizards in to be torn in pieces by the monkeys which are there. … Now, Sir, which were the greatest brutes, the monkeys or the men?' (Argus, 9 October 1858, p. 5).

and also in justice to the employés of these gardens to state, that the cruelty of throwing frogs and lizards before the monkeys here on Sunday last, was punished by showing the heartless boys out of the gardens.

I may avail myself of this opportunity to express not only my regret, that parents should permit their younger children who are likely to amuse themselves in mischievous plays, to proceed without guardians to the Botanical Gardens, but also that often enough a total disregard to the certainly not oppressive rules which are in force here, since nearly a decennium, should be manifested even by any of the adult visitors.

Recklessly converting the borders and their edgings into footpaths, confusing tallies; scribbling on seats, caution boards, or gates, molesting the animals of the menagerie, and, more reprehensively yet, pilfering plants, have been by no means of rare occurrence; and, I regret to add, all this can, with every rigor of vigilance in ground so extensive as that of this establishment, not always be suppressed and punished.

But is it not disheartening, Mr. Editor, that reason for such complaints should be given in a place where everything ought to be held sacred as common good — where the whole is destined to afford a healthy instructive recreation for the multitude — where every one should carefully avoid to disturb the amusement and to destroy the property of the public, and where no one should hurt the feelings of visitors, now, I am proud to say, so numerous, that we count them by hundreds of thousands annually?

October 9.