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Unit 731, VPRS 3181/P Town Clerk's file series 1, VA 511 Melbourne, Public Record Office, Victoria. 63.09.19Preferred Citation:
Ernst Heyne to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1863-09-19. 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/1860-9/1863/63-09-19-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
Botanic Gardens September 19th 1863
Sir
As one of the Officers of Your Department I consider it my duty to bring under your
notice, that several persons disregardfull of the most ordinary decency, continue
to bathe every morning at the lower end of Anderson Street in close vicinity to the
foot bridge leading to the Botanic Gardens and right opposite the dwellings of two
families including several females amongst their members.
The conduct of these persons, who continue to bathe in broad daylight in a locality
so much frequented by the public, whilst a public bathing house has been provided
within a few hundred yards lower down the river, is disgraceful at all times it becomes however doubly so during the summer months when the mornings are generally
the most delighfull hours of the whole day, justly selected by many for a walk in
the open air. Visitors to the gardens at an early hour, but especially Ladies are
now prevented from using the bridge, as long as the nuisance referred to is tolerated.
On several occasions already and again very recently I observed Ladies turning back
in disgust, whilst others, whose business called them probably to town and who most
likely were forced to use the bridge as the nearest road, spoke in no measured terms
of the indelicate behavior of the parties offending.
I have the honor to be
Sir
your most obedient
E. B. Heyne.
Dr F. Mueller
Director of the Botanic Gardens.