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Physical location:

A 2944, vol. 48, Sir William Macarthr horticultural correspondence and lists of plants 1874-1884, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Sydney. 82.11.22e

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to [William Woolls], 1882-11-22 [82.11.22e]. 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/1880-9/1882/82-11-22e-final.odt>, accessed June 5, 2026

1
The letter was evidently written to someone in the Sydney area. The form of greeting used by M, 'rev. friend', suggests that the letter was written to Woolls, as does the reference to the health of 'your Lady’ since Woolls's wife is known to have been seriously ill at this time (Gilbert (1985), p. 50).
22/11/82
A great and irreparable loss, rev. friend, that of Sir Will. M'Arthur. I always hoped to see this worthy man personally, as one of great historic renown in Australia, and as one who showed me many acts of consdieration in my scientific career. I had no idea, that his horticultural establishments and particularly his conservatories were so extensive. Had I remained in my garden, I would have been sure to have visited Camden
2
Camden, NSW, where Macarthur lived.
some day. Baron Huegel, the Austrian Ambassador in Italy and a Major with the Austrian troops in 1813 in Paris, spoke to me in glowing terms about Macarthurs Camden in 1837, when he visited it, and when he named the genus
Macarthuria

Search for Macarthuria in

,
3
Endlicher (1837c), p. 11.
of which I recorded a N.SW. species (extending nearly to Cape York).
4
M. neo-cambrica ; see B65.06.02, p. 28.
Should you meet Mrs Capt Onslow
5
Sir William Macarthur’s niece Elizabeth, widow of Captain Arthur Onslow, inherited most of the Macarthur estates at Camden.
or any other member of the M'Arthur family, then — pray — express my profound condolence at such a loss. At the residence of a son of Admiral King I spent only last week a happy evening.
6
Two sons of Admral Phillip Parker King, William Essington King (1821-1910) and Arthur Septimus King (1827-1899), were prominent in Melbourne society at the time; see ADB .
Perhaps among the numerous orchids at Camden new S. Sea Isl. species may be flowering from time to time. Could Mrs Onslow kindly arrange, that any flowering specimens (cut off) be sent fresh merely in an envelope to me, when ever out in bloom as likely new?
I hope your Lady is on the fairest way of recovery.
Regardfully
Your
Ferd. von Mueller.