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89.11.15aPreferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Henry Loch, 1889-11-15 [89.11.15a]. 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/89-11-15a>, accessed September 11, 2025
1
Letter not found. For the text given here, see Transactions of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Victorian Branch), vol. 7, part 2 (May 1890), pp. 16-7 (B90.14.01). There is a draft among the records
of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, A36, ff. 251-2, Mitchell Library,
State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. See also H. Loch to M, 28 February 1890.
To His Excellency Sir Henry Brougham Loch K.C.B., G.C.M.G.
Patron of the Victorian Branch of the
Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, &c
May it please your Excellency
At the moment of your Excellency ceding from the position as Her Majesty's representative
in the Colony of Victoria to assume that high dignity over vast possessions of the
British Crown in South Africa, the Council of the Victorian Branch of the Royal Geographical
Society of Australasia (which has enjoyed the privilege of your distinguished patronage from its birth) is anxious to share in the very numerous valedictory expressions
offered to your Excellency, and to participate in the best wishes of so many of our
public institutions, to yourself, to Lady Loch, and your family, for future happiness
in the rich dominions over which your Excellency has been called to rule.
We feel assured that the exercise of your high functions there will be characterised
by the same wisdom, urbanity, and kindliness which have invariably marked your Excellency's
vice-regal administration of Victoria; and we fully anticipate that you and Lady Loch
will endear yourselves to the colonists of South Africa as you unquestionably have
done to all classes in Victoria, so that your memories will be cherished there in
the future as much as among us in Victoria.
As chosen and trusted local promoters of the great cause of geography, the members
of the Council are convinced that your Excellency, as a Fellow of the great Home Society,
will also advance, by your high patronage and extensive influence, the interests of
geography in your new sphere of government, specially so as much of the inland territory
of the Queen remains to be yet, even topographically, more closely explored, and as
also the vicinity, at the Cape of Good Hope, of some Antarctic Islands invites more
particularly to further scientific and utilitarian research towards the South Pole
for the direct benefit of South Africa.
We heartily join in the hope, multifariously expressed, that after a while we may
have the privilege of again welcoming your Excellency, in your exalted position, as
well as Lady Loch and your family, to the shores of Australia.
Ferd. von Mueller, President
2
M also introduced a delegation with a farewell address from the German Turnverein
on 12 November 1889. His words were reported in
Australische Zeitung
, 4 December 1889, p. 4 as follows: ‘Die Mitglieder des deutschen Turn-Vereins, welcher einen grossen Teil der deutschen
Bevölkerung Viktoria's repräsentiert, wollten diesen Anlass nicht vorübergehen lassen,
ohne Sr. Excellenz ihre Hochachtung und Dankbarkeit zu erkennen zu geben. Er glaube,
Sr. Excellen zwerde in Süd-Afrika ähnliche deutsche Vereine vorfinden, wie der Turnverein
in Melbourne und fich im Kreise derselben ebenso heimisch fühlen.’ [The members of
the German Turn Verein, who represent a large part of the German population of Victoria,
do not want to let this occasion pass without expressing their respect and gratitude
to His Excellency. He believed His Excellency will find similar German clubs in South
Africa to the Turn Verein in Melbourne, and feel just as at home in their circle.]
A. C. Macdonald, Hon Sec.