Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. For the text given here, see Argus, 10 June 1890, p. 7, where it was introduced by 'The following is the copy of a letter received by Baron von Mueller, president of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, from Dr. Nansen, the well-known explorer of Greenland:'. The letter was read at a Council Meeting of the Victorian Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia on 14 June 1890 and published in Transactions of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Vic. Branch), 1890, p. 62.

Kristiania,

2

i.e. Christiania, now Oslo, Norway.

April 23, 1890.

My dear Sir,

Pray accept my heartiest thanks for the copy of your most interesting and important address

3

B89.10.01.

to the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, which you sent me a long time ago, and which I have read with great pleasure.

4

Letter not found.

Accept also my best thanks for the letter you wrote to Mr. Bates, of the London Geographical Society, on my behalf.

5

H. W. Bates. Letter not found.

I can only say that I am very sorry that circumstances will not allow me to go to Australia this year, which on any condition would have been a great pleasure to me. I am now, however, preparing a new Arctic expedition, with the purpose, if possible, of reaching the North pole. I am sending you a copy of a paper on my scheme.

6

Paper not found. It was in Norwegian; see M to A. Macdonald, 6 June 1890.

My work with the preparations for this expedition will likely prevent me from traveling much the first years. I will therefore ask you to do me the honour of giving my compliments and hearty thanks to the council of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, in Melbourne, for the honouring invitation it has sent me through the Norwegian-Swedish Consul Gundersen, and for its kindness in offering to guarantee me any loss, &c. The society may feel assured that had not circumstances been as they are, it would have been my highest wish to come, as it would also have been a true satisfaction to me if I could have contributed my share to increase their interest for Antarctic explorations in the Australian colonies. In the Antarctic I take a great deal of interest. There are most important problems to be solved. I have for a long time had them in my mind, and your address was therefore, you will easily understand, for me of more than common interest. I hope, indeed, that you will now be able to start the expedition. I see that my friend, Baron Nordenskiold, is willing to join the expedition, and, indeed, you could get no more experienced leader. I expect the final resolution from Australia with the highest interest. I hope to visit the Antarctic regions some day or other whether I ever succeed in reaching the North Pole (which I hope I will) or not. What especially for me would have attraction is the interior of the Antarctic icecap and the winter in the Antarctic lands. I do not think an exploration of both is difficult to gain, and they would certainly yield results of a scientific value which cannot be anticipated.

Wishing you every success to the grand undertaking.