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Letters from Robert Ball, Secretary of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland, to John Barlow regarding the exchange of animals with the Zoological Society of London

Royal Gallery of Practical Science

July 29th 1839

Sir
I have persuaded the Council of this institution to part with the Specimen of the Gymnotus Electrivus which has now been a year in our possession for although by care, we have brought the animal to a state of most vigorous health from one of extreme debility in which it was when it came into our possession, yet I am conscious that to preserve its health more light and purer air, are necessary than we have the means of affording it here. I have been, accordingly, directed to apply in the first instance, to you as Secretary of the Zoological Society, to offer it to that Society, which it might be presumed would be most interested in possessing it. I shall be happy to impart the results of my experience in the treatment & management of the Fish which certainly has hitherto proved successful. I may in conclusion state that the price at which we should part with the Fish is 50£ & I must request as early an answer as convenient as I should offer it to other Institutions in case of the Zoological Society declining the purchase.

I am Sir
Yours faithfully
Thomas Bradley
Director

To Ogilby Esq

Offer of Gymnotus Electricus
Electric Eel

Declined

Engine Manufactory
New Road

March 20th [1838]

Sir
We have inspected the Steam Engine & Machinery at the Zoological Gardens and we beg to submit for consideration of the Council the following remarks
Our information is
"That the last years expences including some repairs was £241.67"
"That the quantity of water raised was 180 Tons weight per Diem"
"That the average quantity of Coal consumed per hour was 112lbs and an additional 140 lbs used daily in getting up the Steam"
"That the cost of Welsh Coal was £1. 11. 8 1/2 per Ton"
"That the time of working the Engine is Four hours per day in Winter and eight hours per day in Summer say an average of 6 hours
"That the cylinders of the Pumps are 5 inches in diameter, 13 inches length of stroke and taking 18 strokes per minute"
Now upon a calculation we have made from the data given us we can make neither the quantity of water raised, not the annual amount of expence agreed. In the first place three 5 inch cylinders 13 inch strokes taking 18 strokes per minute in a proper states of repair would only deliver from 2600 to 2700 gallons of water per hour, and this quantity say for 6 hours would be equal to 16200 Gallons being only Seventy-two Tons - six cwt (Tons 72 6cwt) per day instead of 180 Tons of water as stated showing a discrepancy of nearly 108 tons of water per day.
Secondly as to expence we proceed thus -
Coal consumed per week of 6 days averaging
6 hours each day 43 1/2 cwt £3. 8. 9
Labor 1.10.-
Tow, Hemp, Tallow & Sundries - 15. -
Total for week £5.13.9
Making an Annual outlay of £294.4.8
Without any essential repairs - wear & tear, interest of Capitol etc. We are of opinion that an outlay of from £50 to 70 would complete the repairs at present necessary to the Engine and Pumps & the resetting of the Boiler. We should be happy to do the repairs of the present Machinery when occasion requires but we would rather decline entering into any specific contract - Although we decline entering into any contract retaining the present Machinery we have no objection to enter into an engagement for the supply of water to the gardens upon the following terms - To take away the present Engine, and Boiler and such other parts of the Machinery as we dee, necessary, to replace the same with an Engine and Boiler of sufficient power to supply the present quantity of water, and to take upon ourselves the expence of all repairs, Engine fuel etc etc for a term of Three Years for a sum of Three Hundred pounds per Annum payable quarterly in advance On the expiration of the Three years, if the contract be not renewed, the Engine and Boiler placed by us to be taken by the Council at a fair valuation. It must be clearly understood that we cannot guarantee the supply of Water in the Well

Waiting your further commands
We remain Sir
Your obedient Servants
Braithwaite, Milner & Co

To the Revd Barlow

Bodorgan

5th [Dec] 1839

My dear Sir

On my arrival here yesterday my son [John] Fuller Meyrick [Keeper] had just shot an Eagle on the rocks by the sea side within about a mile from his House. It was in the act of eating a Rabbit when he shot him, and unluckily he fell in the sea which has wetted his Feathers and the Retriever had a very difficult matter bringing him to the shore - I shall send him up by the coach this day as the Zoological Society may like to have him stuffed, the only time I have heard of one being shot or seen in Anglesey was about 60 years ago. I should like to have a line from you if it is the common Eagle which they have in Scotland, or is it a Sea Eagle. I received your letter about the Hare, I killed it adjoining a large Wood, I understand it had been seen constantly before by my Bailiff who could not make out whether it was a Hare or a Rabbit, the colour being different from either Hare or Rabbit.

Believe me to be
My dear Sir
Your most obedient Servt.

Augustus Elliott Fuller

To W. Ogilby Esq

John Barlow was was an Anglican priest. He was ZSL Secretary from 1837-1838, after which he spent many years at the Royal Institution.

Not the first Gibbon
[JES?}

Bristol & Clifton Zoological Gardens
Oct 23 1839

Sir

You will most probably have heard that we have had in our collection for several months a very fine specimen of the Active Gibbon of Ungka-Puti, Hylobates Agilis of Fred. Cuvier and I am instructed by the Committee to inform you that it is their intention to dispose of it. In offering for sale an animal so unique it will necessarily be expected that I should state with the utmost candour the reasons which have induced the Committee to pass the above resolution - I shall not therefore conceal from you that the late unprecedented wet Summer has been the means of reducing the Society's finances [& that?] though this may be of a very temporary nature, they consider that the present position of the Society will justify them in their determination - a second reason is the want of a commodious apartment or building for the animal during the Winter, we have none of sufficient size for exercise, seems essential [?] habits and disposition - this I believe you would not find a difficulty in your ample buildings - with regard to her health, I sincerely believe that I am borne out in saying that she is in the highest state of health and condition and that her appearance will at once satisfy any competent person that such is the case - She is known to be at least five years old having acquired these years in a country contiguous to her own and often in snow and icy cold weather exposed in a Tree in confinement it is considered to be more in her favour than if she was [younger?]. As it is thought impossible that the attractive powers of this extraordinary rarity can be justly appreciated without a personal inspection I am to say that should the Society feel disposed to enter into negotiations with is for the purchase of it, our Committee would consider it a favour if some confidential person were to be sent to Bristol for the purpose. I am to say that until we have heard from you in reply the Committee do not intend to make public their intention to part with this Animal and it is offered to you first as the principal [?] Society and in the full confidence that if you should consider it advantageous to add it to your collection, we shall meet with that liberal treatment and conduct in the negotiation that has always guided the transactions of [your?] Society.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
William Martin
Hon Secy