Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

14. May 1886.

T. R. Wilson Esqr,

Undersecretary.

Sir.

In reply to your Circular 2652

1

See T. Wilson to M, 11 May 1886 (in this edition as 86-05-11a).

I have the honor to inform you, that I am the only one in the Gov. Botanists Department, who has attained the age of 60.

In reference to the special questions, asked by the Public Service Board in its letter of 29. April,

2

Letter not found.

I beg to observe:

1, that my general health and my eyesight have remained unimpaired, beyond some occasional pulmonary sufferings, which I have had also at various times hereditarely in life, so that I am fully able, to carry on the work of my Department far beyond the hours ordinarily devoted to office work, and there is every prospect of my being able to do so for some years yet. Should however my health and strength so fail, as to allow me no longer to carry on my duties vigorously and uninterruptedly, I shall feel in honor bound, to bring this at once under your notice.

2, I beg to state, that the duties of my position are necessarily to a very large extent professional and scientific, that for their performance special University training, long field-studies in extensive travels and a constant application to the current professional and scientific litterature of the world are needed; these qualifications are not otherwise than through myself in all the needful directions nor the long professional experience available either in my Department as indeed in Victoria.

3, In answer to the third question I beg to state, that my case is one of particular specialities, because I sunk all my own means in my researches and collections through life, because I accepted the position, specially created for me, at a time when no thought could enter my mind, that it possibly could cease ere by cessation of mental power or physical strength it came to a close, if not by a short illness perhaps; and thus I had every reason to expect, that I would be allowed to continue in my Departmental position like Hooker, Owen and other leading specialists to the end of my days or at all events as long as strength permitted, so the various works initiated might be brought by me to a close or to such a state of forwardness, as ever circumstances would allow me in life.

I attained my sixtieth year on the 30 June 1885.