Ferdinand von Mueller

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For summaries of this letter, see ML MSS.853/2 letter register, no. 222, and ML MSS.774/1, General and Administrative Council minute book, 24 July 1883, Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (NSW Branch), Mitchell Library.

Melbourne,

17/7/83.

M. La Meslée Esqr

Honorary Secretary of the Geographic Society of Australia

Dear Sir.

The delay, which has arisen in answering your letter of the 6th June

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E. Marin La Meslée to M, 6 June 1883.

has been caused by my desire to act on the suggestion, made by me, that affiliated branch-societies should be formed in the other colonies; but altho' my interest in Australian Geography is as great as ever, I find now, that I shall have neither leisure nor facilities for taking a leading part in the organisation of a Geographic Branch Society here.

Whenever in life I identified myself with any institution, it was only after seeing my way clear to do so efficiently and perseveringly; but on calm reflection I feel now, that I could do no justice to this new task without serious impairment of my professional and litterary work. I therefore with sorrow relinquish the idea of being able to follow up the plan of the Geographic Society here, but will be happy to give advise whenever such may be sought here, to any branch Society. I may be allowed still to remark, that Ernest Giles Esqr F.R.G.S. and Goldmedallist of the Royal Geographic Society, has his domicile mostly in this colony. Perhaps on that distinguished Explorer would most aptly devolve the task of cooperating officially with the Central-Society.

Let me remain, dear Mr La Meslée, regardfully your