27/7/64
My dear Sir William
The last mail brought the concluding part of your noble work on the ferns of the world
& hence it was only then that I could take cognizance of the very kind passage under
, which your generosity dictated. To have my name by
you
, whom all adore, conjoined to that of Wallich, whom as representing in part science
as upheld by Danish writers I can but imperfectly replace, must be always a proud
thought.
I wished I could have done more; but I have honestly sacrificed all I ever had for
the promotion of knowledge, and if my results have not been as bright, it will be
remembered that I was placed 50 years too late in to Australia to win the Laurels,
which crowned the labours of my great countryman in his rich field of research.
Had I been located in an unexplored jungle-country anywhere under a tropical sky,
my own investigations would have had a more powerful influence on the advancement
of descriptive Botany. Indeed one day's in Central Africa would be worth as much as
one year's labour
now
in Australia.
The language of your work is throughout elegant, logical & full of meaning & contrasts
most favorably with much that is written in these days. May you live many many years
in health to prosecute your work, to guide & encourage us & to reap the rewards of
your renown.
The collector employed by this establishment on N.E. Australia
is likely to add a few species to the, after all, scanty fern flora of this continent.
Through the Colonial Office I have forwarded to you by this mail as large a collection
of Austr. seeds, as the harvest of this year yielded & I trust that they may contribute
many a desirable plant to the collection of your winter garden.
Ever with grateful
& cordial regard
your
Ferd Mueller
