Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Annotated: Ack. Sept 30 Baron von Mueller [letter not found], and, in another hand in blue pencil Council

14/8/93.

In reply to your kind letter,

2

Letter not found.

lately received, dear Mr Keltie, let me say, that soon after the receipt of the Circular from the R.G.S.

3

The circular, addressed to 'The Provincial Geographic Societies', commented that

The officers of the Royal Geographical Society have for some time past had under consideration suggestions for bringing the various Geographical Societies recently founded in Great Britain as well as the Societies in the Colonies into closer relations with the Royal Geographical Society and with each other. …

It also asked for 'any suggestions that may occur to you from the point of view of your society' (copy, dated in pencil Apr 5 1892, loosely inserted into the Council Minute Book 24 March 1890-23 March 1896, between pp. 173-4, Royal Geographical Society, London, Archives).

concerning fuller cooperation of geographic Unions with the great Home-Society, I suggested at the Victorian geographic Council, that the distinguised Administration of the R.G.S. of England might elaborate annually a series of detail-queries or questions for transmission to the smaller British Societies, the answers to be collated and the acceptable results to be published in your Journal, and if needful previously to be discussed on any particular points by your Council or in exceptional cases of importance perhaps before general meetings.

On full consideration a number of subjects would from time to time present themselves, thus likely on connected tidal observations and other oceanic currents, on the most important spots for additional hypsometric data, and accurate determination of as yet uncertain longitudes of various places, encouragement to FRGS. abroad, placed locally well for elucidations of obscure subjects in geographic history, determining on new courses of explorations through the influents

4

influence?

of the RGS. of England, schematising on pointed uniform records for zoologic and phytologic geography &c &c.

This proposition was made by me without instancing then any particular lines of researches to be taken up, but only on general principles, so that an affiliation and continued direct intercourse so far of all the other Societies to and with the great Central one might be effected.

My honored Colleagues adopted these ideas, and they were in a brief resolution conveyed to the RGS. Perhaps by some mishap the communication did not reach.

5

No evidence can be found in the Royal Geographical Society’s archives of such a resolution being received. The minutes of 13 February1893 mention that letters from various societies had been received, including the NSW and Qld branches of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia. No mention is made of the Victorian branch having replied (Royal Geographical Society, London, Archives, Council Minutes Book, 24 March 1890-23 March 1896, pp. 173-4).