Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS annotation by Hooker: 'An[swere]d July 27 /79'. Letter not found.

27/5/79.

Since Queen's Birthday, dear Sir Joseph, I have been in a whirl of joyous excitement through the utterly unexpected honor conferred on me by our gracious Sovereign.

2

See Queen Victoria to M, 24 May 1879, the Royal Warrant appointing M as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George. M had argued for his own promotion; see M to G. Bowen, 17 November 1878, and Lucas (2013a).

If I had received a telegram, that some unknown stranger had at his death left me a fortune, I could not have been more surprised, than when H Exc.

3

His Excellency.

the Marquis of Normanby in a most gracious note informed me of the high distinction bestowed on me at the throne of Britain.

4

Note not found.

Though I have worked in her Majesty's Australian territory for one third of a century uninterruptedly, I never gave it any thought, that such a mark of royal grace was in store for me, more particularly, since the breaking up of my Department seemed to debar me from any further real advance in any direction. Hence my astonishment was all the greater, and I must think, that this bestowal of a high British Order is rather intended as a mark of recognition of Australian science generally (I being the senior now in Australia) than as any reward deserved for my own work. Numerous have been the felicitations, among them a telegram from H.E. General Sir Harry Ord, the Governor of W.A.

5

Telegram not found.

My countrymen are particularly elated, as this is the first distinction of its kind (since Count Strzelecky's time, who not was strictly a German

6

The explorer P. de Strzelecki was born a citizen of Prussia, but of Polish parentage. He was appointed KCMG in 1869.

) bestowed on one originally belonging to the German Nation. I just learn, that in celebration of this glorious event my countrymen here intend to give me a Banquet.

I am completely unconscious, to whom particularly I owe my promotion in the order, being certainly in Australia the senior with the former Attorney General of N.S. Wales;

7

Sir William Manning?

but I cannot but think, that among the generous friends, who have advocated my cause, you have taken with Sir Henry Barkly and Sir Charles Nicholson the lead. So, my dear Sir Joseph, let me thank you for your disinterested goodness, and rejoyce with me, that such an effusion of favor from the fountain head of honor must greatly tend to resuscitate my Department and therewith to brighten my future.

Only in one way my joy is dimmed, at seeing the great and venerable Bentham placed as CMG on the honor list.

8

See minutes filed with M to G. Bowen, 17 November 1878 (PRO, London, CO 447/30, Order of St. Michael and St. George, 1878, vol. 1, Despatches, warrants, letters &c, Victoria no. 488, Enclosure to despatch no. 217 of 22 November 1878), where the officials in the Colonial Office decided that Bentham should be recommended for CMG and M for KCMG. See also Lucas (2003).

When yesterday waiting personally on H. Exc. I at once alluded to this: but the Marquis replied, that unless an exception was made in favor of a Governor, everyone had to go through his grade in the Order; but I anticipate, that Mr Benthams promotion will be next anniversary of her Majesty's Birthday, if indeed not earlier.

9

Bentham was never promoted.

Now I would ask you a question. Would Mr B.

10

George Bentham.

be pleased and would you approve of it, if I made an application to the different Australian Governments, more particularly that of this colony, N.S W., QL. & S.A. to obtain for our venerable friend a monetary recognition; and if so, should I ask for £250 from each Government or should it be more? I am not acquainted with Mr B. wordly affairs, & though he inhered

11

inherited?

Jeremiah Bentham's fortune,

12

Bentham's uncle, the social philosopher Jeremy Bentham.

he may have since spent it in his researches. Let me be guided by your views on this subject, and I will do my utmost for him, as his claims on the gratitude of all Australia are immense and highly just.

13

This paragraph is marked with a line in the margin and annotated by Hooker: 'Declined. J H'.

I write this for an extra mail (pr. Northumberland) and have not much time left for other correspondence. So allow me to conclude with grateful remembrance your

I am of course under the deepest obligation to the Right Honorable Sir Michael Hicks Beach but can only formally express through the Governor my gratitude when Patent and insignia arrive.

14

See M to M. Hicks Beach, 29 September 1879.