Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found; text is from a passage in Charles Daley's draft biography of M, introduced by: 'In the following letter dated 5.8.93 the Baron gives an insight into the excessive demands upon his time, labour, and resources'.

All through July, dear niece, I was anxious to express my appreciation to you for the kind felicitations to another anniversary in my life,

2

M's birthday was on 30 June.

but as many other generous congratulations were offered; and, as I was particularly overwhelmed with departmental obligations, during the last week, I now get only so far as to acknowledge these …

3

Ellipses included by Daley to indicate that text has been omitted.

You will hardly credit it when I say that my letter-book for the first half of 1893 shows 2480 official letters or equivalent of letters as written nearly all by my own hand ... they are all pertaining to official subjects professionally, irrespective of several hundred letters on Geographic subjects, charities etc. So you all will not judge me harshly when I write so rarely. My working hours being on an average 16 daily, and I have strained my visual powers with the microscope for more than 50 years. When you write to your sisters and brothers kindly excuse my taciturnity to them. I would like to have the exact address of all of them, who have a household of their own, as I might send then at this favourable season some seeds for their gardens. Kindly pick up for me a flowering sprig of any plant, on which pasture animals delight to feed. Such notes would enrich the 9th edition of my work on "Select Plants" to be brought out early in 1894.

4

The work did not appear until August 1895; see B95.08.04.

If Divine Providence grants me so much time yet for my worldly career. You must be very proud of your young son.

5

Wehl's son Stuart Sinclair, born 1894.

With best greeting to you and your consort