Ferdinand von Mueller

30/4/84.

Greatly do I feel honored, dear Mr Best, with the renewed request, that I may become the President of the Field-Naturalists Club for the next year; and I beg of you, to convey to the Gentlemen, who desire me to occupy that distinguished position, my best expression of appreciation of the kind feeling thus displayed towards me.

When I however say, that my pulmonary inflammation has not yet become subdued, and that even the finale of my present illness may not be recovery, you and your friends in the Club will concede, that I should only disappoint the members, were I to occupy the presidential position in my present state of health. Moreover I would keep out of such a post of honor a Gentleman, who could devote time and talent in promoting the labours of the Club from the Presidential position. The hon. Dr Dobson has so zealously interested himself for the club, and his tastes lead him in the direction of recreation-engagement, such as the Club carries out; the hon. Gentleman is of erudition, polish and studious habits, and thus I feel sure he will accede to a reiterated request to continue in Presidential office for at least another year. Should then my health be reestablished , and he not desire to continue the Presidentship, I should be glad to accept so honorable a post for the following year.

1

M never served as President of the Club.

Let me hope, that your Conversatione will be a great success.

2

The Field Naturalists' Club's fourth annual Conversazione was to be held that evening, 30 April 1884.

Being forbidden to go out in evening hours, I am deprived of the pleasure of attending at the festival this evening, much to my regret.