28/7/66
The death of poor Harvey,
an event though expected, dear Dr Hooker, has left a deeply painful sensation on
me as it must have done on all, who knew the sterling value of that inestimable man
and who had the benefit especially of coming personally with this great man in contact.
I shall never forget the hours so delightfuly spent with him here eleven and twelve
years ago.
As a man of science removed from the stage of phytographic research, on which he played
so prominent a part, he cannot be replaced. His knowledge of algae was superior to
that of any of our best phycologist and in
working power
(alas! too regardlessly spent on expense of health) he surpassed them all. His artistic
talent was also much more
fertile
than that of any other Botanist. As acquainted by intimate local observation with
the south African vegetation he stands unique, and my dear and early friend Dr Sonder
will now have to carry on the great work on South African plants singlehanded.
In amability Harvey stood foremost among the few Botanists of note whom it fell to
my share to meet in life, but indeed I never met
any
Botanist but him for more than a few hours, being scientifically exiled since an
early age. Even Sonder I never saw more than 2 or 3 hours in life, and so Kunze, Schleiden,
Muenter, Suhr, Roeper, Waitz, Lang — my University friend Professor Carl Jessen being
my senior and having been drawn away from phytographic work, and Nolte,
my Kiel Professor, having sunk into obscurity ever since he acceded (and that before
I was born) to his Professorship. God knows how long time may be granted yet to any
of us to carry on the work we may have specially chosen for ourselfes. I enclose a
bill of loading for a box shipped by the Yorkshire and containing the remainder of
the Composite-plants required for Bentham's work. I continue picking up
and Orchid tubers for your garden, now since these little ephemeral things commence
to peep again out of the ground, also
&
.
I am about reporting to the Governor of Tasmania on the edition of a physiographic
Atlas of Austr & N.Z I think it can be done.
We might muster 12 maps. A very intelligent youth C. Duppuy called on me to report
that out of the wreck of the Netherby still two boxes sent by you to Mr Hill might
be saved.
I have set the matter in train with the Agents & shall send the cases on as soon
as I can get hold of them.
Would large fern trees, say 16 feet high (thus many years old) be useful for the Kew
conservatories or your interchanges? They travel quite well. If I could only for a
Day pick up some of your
surplus
treasures at Kew what a show should I make. I have planted now about [1]50 ferntrees
since water is laid on and now am now
trying to get large-stemmed
moved. As far as my experience goes the short stemmed (though big) species moves
quite well and as it is lately found out that these stems are very
saccharine
I can try with good hope of success to move some plants 10' high with a flowerstalk
quite as long to Kew, when some friendly Captain goes home
Your attached
Ferd Mueller
I am just sending a headstone to Mr Drummonds grave in Perth.
The untimely death of that valiant explorer M'Intyre
has thrown me in great sadness & consternation. I shall have again to spend some
time on the reorganisation of the party and that with the duties of the approaching
intercolonial & french Exhibition
will withdraw much time from botanical engagements. I shall however work
up [&c] for the 5 vol of my fragmenta, which will appear very soon — I have also
some novelties from Rockinghams Bay
