The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne bot. Garden ¶ Easterday 1871. ¶ ¶ It is very gratifying to me, dear Mr Montefiore, that amidst all your engagements in a new office and in a new home, you so kindly keep me in remembrance. ...

Document information

Physical location:

MS MS SEQUENCE, Australian Box 4/1, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne. 71.04.09

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Eliezer Montefiore, 1871-04-09. 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//letters/1870-9/1871/71-04-09-final.odt>, accessed June 9, 2026

Melbourne bot. Garden

Easterday 1871.

Easter Sunday fell on 9 April in 1871.

It is very gratifying to me, dear Mr Montefiore, that amidst all your engagements in a new office and in a new home, you so kindly keep me in remembrance.

Let me assure you, that I appreciate your friendly feelings towards me very highly, and that I look with the greatest pleasure back on the pleasing opportunities, when I met you and your family, and enjoyed from you so much help, consideration and sympathy.

There seems a reaction in my favor here, but still as yet I do not know, what will be the fate of my Department. Hitherto I have not been summonded before the commission,

The Board of Inquiry into the administration of the Botanic Gardens, 1870-71.

and some statements, obtained surreptiously by the Argus and Australasian

The number is given in the Argus, 18 February 1871, p. 5, and under 'Town news' in its associated weekly, the Australasian, 18 February 1871, p. 211.

to the effect that I had spent annually £100 on an acre, are utterly without foundation, as the expenditure fluctuated between seven and nine £. I suppose that I have to appear before this tribunal soon after Easter.

If my position becomes not finally quite impaired, I will be happy to send you the plants, which you may require, as far as the resources of the Department admit of it. Be so kind to specify to some extent the details of your wants.

It was for me, dear Mr Montefiore, to bid you a final farewell, and certainly I would have done so, had I had the least intimation of the day of your departure.

Montefiore, previously the Secretary to the Australasian Insurance Company, moved to Sydney to become Secretary to the Pacific Insurance Company. He 'consented to not wholly withdraw himself from the conduct of the affairs of the Public Library, Museums, and National Gallery, of which he is a trustee', by agreeing to act for the trustees in Sydney (Argus, 18 February 1871, p. 5). He travelled to Sydney per Rangatira, which cleared out of port on 25 February (Argus, 27 February 1871, p. 4), his family having sailed per Dandenong on 15 February (Argus, 16 February 1871, p. 4).

I live so unsocially and was so harrassed, that I became not acquainted with your departure until some days afterwards. So you must charitably excuse my apparent shortcomings.

Your regardful friend

Ferd. von Mueller.

Pray give my best compliments to your Lady.