Ferdinand von Mueller

Peradenia, Ceylon

1

Now Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

8th Decr 1864

My very dear friend,

[Discussion of botanical matters]

…

At the instigation of our excellent friend, Dr. Mueller I have been elected to the "Imperial Academy" an Hon. Doctor Philos. but as I have not yet received the Diploma which was left by Mr Cuming with Dulau & Co, I don't know which Academy to thank.

2

M had asked Carl von Martius to use his influence to have a German university bestow a PhD degree on Thwaites (M to C von Martius, 25 June 1864). The text of the Diploma recording the award of the degree of 'Doctorem Philosophiae' to Thwaites by the Academiae Cesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae Germanicae Naturae Curiosorum on 1 October 1864 is printed in Leopoldina, vol 4, pp. 123-4, 1864.

Dr Mueller said not a word to me about it until he had made the application to his friends in Germany. I should never have thought of applying for the honor myself, and had Dr Mueller consulted me before taking any steps in the matter I think I should have begged him not to move in it, but it would have been very ungracious to have said a word to him against it afterwards, as it was exceedingly kind his taking so much trouble. Von Martius moved in the matter in Germany and sent my Diploma to Mr Cuming.

I do not wish to be called 'Doctor' here, as there is already one Dr. Thwaites in the island & it would create confusion as to our letters &c. I must put Ph. D. after my name, I suppose, on certain occasions.

Mueller is a noble fellow or he could not have allowed the Flora Australiensis

3

Bentham (1863-78).

to pass out of his hands. Knowing his disposition as well as I do, I am quite sure that doing so must have caused him many a pang & I am glad when I see his name brought forward prominently in any notice of the book.