Ferdinand von Mueller

25/10/95.

You will have probably have learned, dear Miss Hussey by this time of the very sad event, which deprived us one of our most genial friends! Early this week poor J. Bracebridge Wilson passed away.

1

J. B. Wilson died at Geelong on 22 October 1895.

On Wednesday I was one of the pallbearers, having gone to Geelong to pay him the last wordly

2

worldly?

homage. I knew, he was ailing, but was not aware til after his death, that he was seriously ill. This is an irreparable loss to us also. He was most loyal and generous to me. I induced him to extend his researches on the phytoz[e]a also to the Algs, as he was very near to rich localities of oceanic plants. In 1859 I supplied him with many young Pines and other trees to plant around the stately buildings of the famous Geelong Grammar School from which many distinguished Legislators, Doctors, Divines and Jurists have emanated preparatorily. So one after […] passes away […] of my eldest friends.

3

Words omitted?

On Monday last I delivered a short oration on Pasteur,

4

B95.10.03.

who as

5

was?

one of those who supported my unanimous election into the Institut de France.

6

M's election was not unanimous: see notes to M to L. Dejardin, 5 August 1895 (in this edition as 95-08-05a).

— Roper, the last of the first celebrated Leichhardt Expedition died also this month.

7

John Roper died on 15 September 1895.

So I must expect to be one of the next to be called away from my mortal career! —