Ferdinand von Mueller

Circular Head

1

Tas, as are all other place names in this letter.

25 December 1874

Dear Baron

I duly received your letter last night

2

Letter not found, but see S. Emmett to M, 10 October 1874 (in this edition as 74-10-10b).

— with regard to our excursion for the Richea February would suit us best

3

M left Melbourne for Circular Head on 27 January, He arrived at Circular Head 28 January and 'left on the following day with Emmett, 'proceeding along the South Road for the Hellyer River' (Launceston examiner (Tas), 4 February 1875, p. 2). For notes on the itinerary, see Emmett's letter to the editor dated 6 February, Launceston examiner, 18 February 1875, p. 3.

— I have to begin my Hop picking on the 1st of March and therefore would not like to go later than 7 Feby.

You now have a good opportunity of coming over in the new steam vessel "Argyle", a regular trader every 10 days — I should be glad to have your company, but intend making a suggestion to you on your arrival at Stanley, that instead of your undertaking a journey with us through so difficult a country that you visit my farm where you would enjoy yourself amongst a perfect bower of ferns of all kinds whilst I and my son perform the journey — I am afraid that the fatigue of the expedition involving a walk of 100 miles at the least would be too much for you — You however would be welcomed here our district being well known for hospitality — I am also commissioned by a lady and gentleman to take you to see them — my own house is too small for my own wants, but I am getting 4 additional rooms put up — and therefore am all sixes & sevens —

I wrote to Mr Joseph Harman about the Pittosporum, but he only got my letter at Emu Bay yesterday, he called to see me, but I was out, he will however come again — I believe he knows of a specimen nearer than Mount Ramsay — I shall therefore delay sending the few dried specimens in the hope of adding the pittosporum — We have had so very wet a season up to this day, that any kind of bush work would be quite out of the question and 1st of February would do well.

I send you a receipt for the £2.

You would oblige by sending £6 - on receipt of this so that I may get a tent made and I have to pay £2 to my son, he being in charge of a sheep farm and has to get and pay a substitute during his absence.

If you come over to Circular Head, we could then best arrange whether you undertake the southern trip or not. — The track to the Hellyer

4

Hellyer River, near Rocky Cape, Tas.

26 miles from Circular Hd would cost £5 to [...] it in order for a horse and man required to fetch him home — we have to cross a boggy plain and the track I made round it (2 miles) is completely grown over — we therefore think of going on foot — and taking one weeks provisions in knapsacks — You would find so rich a field for botanical research round about the district that your time here could be most profitably employed without the larger journey.

In opening a line from my own farm for two miles along the VDL Co.

5

Van Diemen's Land Company.

back line with our Stipendiary Magistrate A. T. Maysen, I came upon a colony of Cyathea Affinis from 3 inches high to 25 or 30 feet — I carried one to my garden it was 3½ in thick and 18 feet 6 inches high without the fronds a truly elegant specimen — our ferns here are covered with thousands of parasites, and I think you will find something new — yesterday I cut down a fern tree 30 feet high and 5 feet thick — solid —

I have included the Pittosporum in the receipt for £2 — as I hope to be in possession of it shortly when it shall be immediately forwarded per Argyle care of Piggott & Company — though if there should be any other agent more suitable to yourself, I could send it to any place you might name —

I should very much like to send you a Cyathea for one of your Shows —