Document information

Physical location:

MS 1236, National Library of Australia, Canberra. 60.03.09

Preferred Citation:

Ludwig Becker to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1860-03-09. 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/60-03-09>, accessed September 11, 2025

1
For published translations of this text, see Clune (1937), pp. 257-9 and Becker (1979), p. 214.
9/3 60
Mein lieber Freund
Eine Moskito-Nacht gab mir Muse über das Thema unserer gesternabendlichen Besprechung weiter nachzudenken.
Das Committee, u mehr so, das Subcommittee hat, wie jene alte Jungfer, einen Elephanten in der Lotterie gewonnen u weiss jetzt nicht was damit anzufangen. Mein Plan ist: aus den 14 Männern muss kein Führer gewählt werden, weil daraus keiner gewählt werden kann . Diess wird sich zeigen bei einer Examination der Candidaten.
Die Examinatoren sollen bestehen aus erfahrenen Männern, u ich schlage vor
Dr Müller
McMillan
Capt. Cadell
Mr Hodginson
2
Hodgson? See n. 5.
Dr Wilkie
Vorzulegende Fragen mündlich oder schriftlich zu beantworten, ohne das Zimmer zu verlassen.
1) Astronomische Kenntnisse, taking the meridian etc.
2) Surveying und Planzeichnen.
3) Kenntnis der Natur des Landes in Bezug auf die Gefahren, u Kenntnis der Hilfsmitteln um diese Gefahren zu vermeiden oder zu mildern. Flug gewisser Vögel nach Wasserplätzen. Wasserpflanzen Baumgraben Wo nach Quellen zu suchen. Thiere u Pflanzen zur Nahrung. Etc. etc.
4) Kenntnis der Meteorologie des Landes. Anzeigen von Wetterwechsel. Vorsicht gegen schnellen Wechsel. Form der Wolken, Farbe des Himmels in gewisser Richtung um dort nach Wasser zu forschen, wenn die Anzeigen gewitterhaft waren.
5) Barometer u Thermometer für Höhenmessungen sowohl als für athmosphärische Beobachtungen.
6) Kenntnis von Pferden (u Kamelen), muss ein guter Reiter sein (auch schwimmen können). Sattel u sattlen. Einige Kenntnis der Pferdekrankheiten.
7) Muss Soldat gewesen sein, um Disciplin halten zu können u nöthigenfalls den Angriffen von Eingeborenen gewichtigen Widerstand leisten zu können. Ein guter Schütze.
8) Eine allgemeine Kenntnis von Wissenschaften, um die Arbeiten der Officiere begreifen u unterstützen zu können.
9) Er muss ein Gentleman von moralischer u physischer Stärke sein.
Da sich Keiner, wie ich glaube, unter diesen 14 befindet der No 1 in all diesen 9 Punkten erhalten dürfte, so fällt deren claim zu Boden, man gewinnt Zeit u Warburton wird angegangen ds Commando zu übernehmen, u somit ist die Folge des dummen Antrags (Advertising) schadlos gemacht. Ich lege eine Zeitung von Ballarat bei, mit 2 Artikel, die ich Sie zu lesen bitte.
Hoffend dass Sie wohler fühlen
verbleibe ich
Ihr L. Becker.
9/3 60
My dear friend,
A mosquito night gave me the leisure to ponder further on the theme of our discussions yesterday evening.
The Committee, and even more so the Sub-committee,
3
The Exploration Committee of the Royal Society of Victoria, of which M was a member, was engaged in the task of selecting a leader for the Victorian Exploring Expedition. The position had been advertised in the press and 14 applications had been received.
is like that old spinster, who has won an elephant in the lottery and now does not know what to do with it.
My plan is: none of the 14 men must be selected leader, because none of them can be selected. This will be shown by an examination of the candidates.
The examiners should consist of experienced men, and I propose
Dr Mueller
McMillan
Capt. Cadell
Mr Hodginson
4
Becker probably intended to refer here to Hon. John Hodgson, MLC, a member of the Exploration Committee of the Royal Society of Victoria and its Executive Committee. Clement Hodgkinson was also active in the Royal Society of Victoria at this period, but he was not a member of the Exploration Committee.
Dr Wilkie.
The submitted questions are to be answered orally or in writing without them leaving the room.
1) Astronomical knowledge, taking the meridian, etc.
2) Surveying and drafting of plans.
3) Knowledge of the nature of the land in regard to dangers, and knowledge of the means to avoid these dangers or alleviate them. The flight of certain birds towards watering places. Water plants Digging trees. Where to search for springs. Animals and plants as food sources. Etc, etc.
4) Knowledge of the meteorology of the country. Signs of weather changes. Caution against a sudden change. Shape of clouds, colour of the sky in a certain direction to search there for water, when the signs indicated thunderstorm activities.
5) Barometer and thermometer for measuring of altitudes as well as for atmospheric observations.
6) Knowledge of horses (and camels), must be a good horseman (also be able to swim). Saddles and saddling. Some knowledge of diseases of horses.
7) Must have been a soldier in order to be able to maintain discipline, and if necessary to provide substantial resistance in case of aboriginal attacks. A good marksman.
8) A general knowledge of the sciences in order to be able to understand and support the work of the officers.
9) He must be a gentleman, possessing moral and physical strength.
As there is, as I believe, not one among these 14, who would receive No. 1 in all these 9 points, their claim falls flat, and we gain time. Warburton will be approached to take on the command, and with that the result of that stupid suggestion to advertise is rendered harmless. I enclose a newspaper from Ballarat with two articles,
5
Newspaper and articles not found. The Ballarat Star, 7 March 1860, p. 2, has two items that are probably what Becker is referring to. One is an editorial about the appointment of the leader of the Victorian Explorian Expedition, noting that ‘it has become noised abroad that there is a determination to make the selection somewhat of a job’ and urging that there be ‘a total disregard of private friendship or personal favor in considering the fitness of the several candidates’.The other is a report of the progress being made by J. M. Stuart in his latest attempt to cross the continent from south to north.
that I ask you to read.
In the hope that you are feeling better,
I remain
your L. Becker.