Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne

29/ September /

1879.

To Charles Cox Esqr.

Chancellor of the Order

of St. Michael & St George.

Honored Sir,

Altho I had already the privilege of expressing to you my deep sense of gratitude on the occasion of your first announcement (ex officio)

1

Letter not found.

of the great and unexpected honor of my being elevated to the Rank of a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George through the grace of our most august Sovereign —, yet I feel, that I must approach you once more as the highly dignified Chancellor of this most distinguished Order, now that the glorious documents of my appointment under her Majesty's sign manuel have arrived together with the superb insignia of the second class of the Order, and have been conveyed to me through the most noble the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G.; the Governor of Victoria.

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For the circumstances of M's promotion, and M's own efforts to achieve it, see Lucas (2013a).

Let me reiterate my deep appreciation of this great distinction conferred on me from the British throne; and let me anew assure you, that I consider this the proudest achievement in a long and toilsome career, to be adopted among the members of this glorious Institution of the British Empire in such an elevated position. All my endeavours will be to render myself worthy of the confidence in my ability, humble as it may be, placed so encouragingly by the British Government.

I remain, honored and venerable Sir, an admirer of your important services in positions of high trust for half a century, and shall always be your