Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Correspondent based on location of filed letter. The letter could, however, have been written to Joseph Hooker, whose post-retirement letters from M are filed in this volume. The letter may be incomplete.

[9.2.96]

2

editorial addition — The date '9.2.96' is marked on the letter, probably by W. Hemsley.

At a recent german festival here,

3

M proposed the toast to the Colony of Victoria, in English, at a banquet attended by some 700 people on 18 January 1896 to mark Germany's National Day (Argus, 20 January 1896, p. 5). His speech was subsequently summarized in the Weekly times on 25 January, p. 12, and published in the Record (South Melbourne) on 29 February (see B96.02.01). A German-language summary was published in Deutsch-Australisches Echo on 23 January 1896, pp. 8-9.

I in proposing the health of His Excellency the Governor stood up in dignified terms for the greatest of political greatnesses that of Albion

4

i.e. Britain.

speaking in the English language and one of our leading British Colonist told me on his own accord subsequently that I sent "a thrill of delight" through him and other British byestanders by my wording and sentiment! I gave my oat

5

oath?

of allegiance to Her Majesty here in 1847,

6

M arrived in SA in December 1847 but did not take out British citizenship until 9 August 1849.

when as a young Doctor I came to these dry winter-less regions to save my life, and when I brought some cash fortune, which enabled me mainly to travel for the first 6 years on my private expenses in Australia til in 1853 Governor Latrobe asked me to take Office.

7

As Government Botanist of Victoria; see W. Lonsdale to M, 26 January 1853.

I have never crossed the Equator again as I could not spare the time for recreation. As I have therefore spent more than 2/3 of my life on British soil, and the other portion of my existence was divided between Germany and Denmark I ought to be considered a Britain!