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To The Rev. Professor Buckland
Post Office
Inverary
Scotland

Sheepstead
July 15 [1824?]

Write in detail and on Foolscap if you have time, I do not wait for any answers

My dear Sir,

It gave me sincere pleasure to hear that your Party promised to well, and I trust that the sea may now cease to be Ipecacuanha to you and that you may have every enjoyment possible in your Scottish excursion. To be sure three months is a long time to look forward to your absence and, I miss you very much already, but it would be the extreme of selfishness to wish you anywhere than on the spot where you are now - there seems to be an ample field laid open to you in Scotland, and I anticipate your doing great things there while you are traversing the Sea and the Land and contemplating Nature in her wildest and most imposing attire pursuing enquiries so highly interesting to yourself and to science. I am employed in tying up flowers and killing snails - the comparison makes me appear somewhat contemptible in my own eyes and, I could almost wish myself a man - but, were I one of the Lords instead of the Ladies of Creation I might probably have been envious and jealous of your fame and success whereas they now afford me the highest gratification so that I believe matters are better as they are. I only wish that among those nearest and dearest to me I could find some Companion in my noble pursuit of gardening and snail destroying, but, Alas! I fear they are not [?] to it, as old Isaac Walton says of a man who does love fishing. I have tried to make all my sisters from the biggest to the last take some sort of interest in these things but in vain and, in the midst of a large family, I live in solitude as far as lies in community of pursuits and occupations. I often fear I shall grow absolutely stupid, if it were not for your society [occurs?] to rub up my Intellects I think I should, nevertheless, it is a mortifying fact that I always feel conscious of being particularly dull and flat in your presence - this dullness appears to be extending itself into my letters but it is unavoidable , for I have not the least interesting matter to communicate to you. Mr [Tuckwell?] dined here last week to see Lady [Pegge?] but he told no Oxford news worth relating. I have not yet heard when I am to go into [Sussex?] I wish you had seen the Aylings on your [road?] hope you will see more of Dr. Chalmers [hole in page] Did you ever read his Sermons? On the Impiety of Modern Philosophy? I believe he alludes more particularly to Geology. I mean to the fanciful theories put forth concerning that science. Mr [?] orations lie before me speaking of the neglect of spiritual things among the higher classes of society, he says "The [rocks] from promintory residences among the clouds to their deep rests in the dark bowels of the Earth, have a most bold and [venturous] priesthood who see in them rough and flinty, faces a more delectable image to adore than in the [?] countenance of God happily your Geology has been turned to a better account that do deserve [?] such a censure. I hope you mean to give me a series of Scottishrock specimens of your own collecting - I would suggest the plan of your keeping the corner of a box for my exclusive use, or I shall get none for you have left me with a single stump of an [Elysenses?] tooth by way of "Specimens found of Kirkdale" Pray don't use me so shabbily again for I want to keep up my small geological collection -
I think as soon as you have filled a little box you had better send it off to me at once - I find the books you were so kind as to send me on shells very useful. Did I tell you that Mrs. Duffield's governess who is so perfectly acquainted with Italian has taken me in hand and I am making good progress in the language, so that the next time you give me an Italian letter to translate I shall be au fait in the matter. I am very sorry the bone was broken - I acknowledge my unskilled packing, however, remember this is the first accident that ever befel the numerous bones which have for years journeyed to and fro, in Mr. [Chees's?] cart. Being come to the end of my paper I have only to say God Bless You - the oftener you can write, the oftener will you give pleasure to yours

Most truly

M.M.

Sheepstead

To Revd. W. Buckland
Corpus Christi College
Oxford

Dover
Thursday
9 J[ul]y 1825

My dearest friend,
We are just arrived after a rough passage and proceed to London tomorrow whether we get there tomorrow night, or not, I cannot tell you, but we shall certainly be at home on Sunday - Your Birds I have brought with me safely to this place, they are well stuffed and I hope you will like them - I saw in [Gagliano's?] Journal this morning that Professor Buckland had been presented by the Emperor of [B] with a small box composed of the fossil tooth of an elephant - We were only 3 days in Paris and are returned. The [?] family were as kind to me as before; they pressed me very much to dine with them to meet Lady [Davy/Barry?] and many English people, but my courage failed me - the last volume of Operman Fossilis was sent to you a little time since by a Quaker whose name I forget. M [?] admires the Duchess of Northumberland extremely he said "elle a beaucoup parle de vous" so that had I been in Paris I should without doubt have [been] introduced to her Grace. I have had another lesson in Lithography, and have brought a cargo of pencils home for Lithography - The Artist I mentioned to you, who draws so well on stone, complimented me very much on my attempt tho he was obliging enough to point out my errors.
I have only heard once from home. I trust I shall find you all well - Every body ought to go abroad to know the happiness of returning home again. I hope this will find you in Oxford as I shall see you soon. I only add that I am missing my dearest friend.
yr. very affectionate
Mary Morland

If unfortunately, you are not in Oxford pray write to me directly you receive this - Has the Chancellor decided?
Ever yours
M.M.

To Rev W Buckland
[?] [?]
C.C. College
Oxford

46 Russell Square
11 May 18[--]

Dear Sir

I shall not return till Friday the 19th as my Father and Mother are detained in Worcestershire and I thought it better to write to tell you of this alteration in my plans, as you were so good as to say you would ride to Abingdon to give me instructions about [?] drawing. The Fossil you can send when you please as they will take great care of any box directed to me and, if you can make it convenient to return to Oxford by Abingdon on Monday week I shall be very happy to see you. The Misses [?] asked me if it was possible that the gentleman who contradicted every word Dr Leach said at the Museum the other day could be Mr Buckland I have seen our new little friend once, and I hope to visit the Museum again. If I can be of any use to you in London, let me know - I lent your lecture to my old school mistress who is very much pleased with it. I wish you had time and inclination to write an elementary work on Geology you write so clearly and intelligibly that such a Publication would be most useful - I really believe that [to] many wise folks geologists are half Infidels and tho' your Lecture is well calculated to remove these prejudices, still a longer Treatise on the subject would be in my opinion (which however I offer with due humility) very [hole in paper] desirable
I durst write no more, as I may be told that my pen moves as fast as my Tongue and to as little purpose perhaps.

Believe me my dear Sir
Very truly yours
Mary Morland

Mary Anning is exceedingly sorry she has not been able to answer Dr. Buckland's letter sooner, the reason for not having done so was because I had found a part of a very large skeleton, and was in hope it might turn out fine but am sorry to say it has not. In regard to the Ichthyosaurus Dr. Buckland has heard of it is now in the possession of Miss Philpot, it is a small animal laying on its back and you would almost fancy that it was in the very act of voiding its [albian gronum?] for it lays at the bottom of the stomach and touching the bones of the pelvis, this little animal is a most illustrative specimen laying in nearly perfect order, and it illustrated a geological fact as the upper part of the body was on one side of a fault and the posterior part on the other and the divided parts matched exactly, the fault was about eight inches.

I have another part of a skeleton very beautiful by me with a bezore very plain but much flattened, it is remarkable that this creature is covered by scales like our small fish, its sternum very fine, no paddles but altogether a remarkable pretty thing price four pound. I have also another with the head and back very good with the bezoar in its stomach but not so clear as the one above described, price £4. I believe I venture to say that two out of three has more or less of it.

Cpt [Morings] beautiful little skeleton is not very good you can only see its form as he will not pick it for fear of injuring the animal, he would dispose of that if he could get £50 for it. I have never seene but three specimens of the plesiosaurus at all connected, and do not think that either of them had any sing of it. I think the small ichthyosaurus that Geographical Society purchased of me had the bezoar if you should go to town you can examine it.

Respectful Remembrance to Mrs Buckland and kiss your dear lovely baby

Your obliged humble Servant

Mary Anning

Dr. Buckland
[?] [?]
Christ Church
Oxford

I fear Dr. Buckland will think that I have forgotten to send the fish but I have been far from well or should have sent it sooner. The Ammonite with its parasites and the wood ditto. I hope Dr. B will accept as a small token of my sense of Dr. B's kind present of the pictures I have already sold saving the [?] of shells are also parasites having entirely displaced the ammonite which always the case with this species of ammonite I fear there is nothing new in the coprolites - trusting that Mrs Buckland and the dear children are quite well.

I remain respectfully your gratefully and obliged humble Servt.

Mary Anning

Sir
Having collected a basket full of Coprolites and Sepias, the large Sepia I hope you will think illustrative - nearly the whole of the Coprolites came from the Coprolite or fish ledge there is two of these ledges about eight feet apart. I have no doubt myself but that they were dropped quietly were we now find them and that the Ichthyosaurus fed on scaly fish you will find two together to prove this in some measure. I have also sent two fragments of the first [chamber?] of the Ammonite with that black [undescribed?] substance, it positively is not any portion of the shell do not go calling me a fool remember the Tortise footsteeps. Sir have you observed in the Sepias a substance resembling Coprolite besides the sack or ink bag - In thinking over Miss Philpot's collection I reccolected two little rings which we could not make out at the time I found them. It is very probably that they may be the sepia rings. Miss P has kindly given me one of them for you. Mr de la Beche and myself a few days back went down to search the Red Marle we found a pretty vegetable and fish scales in it as black as those found in lias. How is Mrs Buckland and the two dear boys. I trust by this time you have welcomed a little stranger I hope it is a girl like her mother and you need not wish for anything better on Earth, please to present my best respects to Mrs. B. Should you wish for any more Cops. or Sepia please to write word

Your obliged humble Servant
Mary Anning

Addressed to Dr. Buckland
Christ Church
Oxford

From Major McDonald

The Arabians were clad in long cloaks girt about the waist: on the right arm were hung long bows, which bent both ways. The Ethiopians clad in the skins of leopards and lions carried bows formed from the branches of the palm trees and not less than four cubits in length: with these they used short reed arrows pointed with sharpened stones instead of iron the stone used for this purpose is the same that is employed in engraving seals. They have besides pikes, armed with stags horns, the ends of which are sharpened like the head of a dart and also knotted clubs. When they go to battle, they daub one half of the body with gypsum (white) and the other half with red ochre. These Arabians and the Ethiopians inhabiting the country about Egypt were under the command of Arsames Son of Darius and or Artystone daughter of Cyrus and whom all his wives Darius loved most he had an image of her formed of solid gold

Herodotus Book 7 Section 3

It is quite evident that those designated Ethiopians by Herodotus were Arabians as Ethiopia in his time was considered to be Arabia

To Mademoiselle [Madlle] Buckland
Chez M. Plattel
Change d'Anton
Paris
France

Islip

Sunday
April 27
[1856]

My dear Child,
I have received a very beautiful collar which I am sure is from you, and for which I heartily thank you tho' I find it no easy thing to wear collars now for anything of the kind rubs against my [Seaton?] and irritates me exceedingly. I am quite the old woman now with [compelled?] neck cloth round my throat which I hide as best I can by a silk scarf. The [Seaton?] is not painful but itches terribly sometimes - I miss the sea and the bright sun and we all feel the climate very damp and cold after Guernsey. Bipy went to the Deanery Wednesday and to her great dismay, found a stall provided for her in Willis's Room for the Ragged School Bazaar, half of which are [disputing?] church affairs, tho' there were some grounds according to a Paragraph in the [Times?] there were many [shabby?] people who came Friday the 2nd day to buy cheap. Bipy had nothing for a stall as she told Mrs Malone our things were to go to her, however they contrived to make up one and the Eame's very good naturedly consented to stay and the girls concocted a fine Arts and Natural History Bazaar with the help of some splendid sketches of Mrs. [Nafftels?] which [Bathin?] valued at 20£ they sold 10/6 each and 2 at [7?] about their value. My [-phyte?] boxes which were all sold are pretty [?] things not appreciated. Walter Levin's Etchings the [?] illuminated small Drawings. Edward seems quite satisfied with our sale, he and Rose went in the afternoons 16£ each day was taken at this print stall. Bipy bought some things for Mrs Tidderman's Bazaar which Mrs Liddel patronizes and hopes we will as people are trying to [?] it down she says. I said I could not venture to answer for you but I think for Mrs Tidderman's sake you and Bipy will take a stall and have Caroline to help. Everyone knows my regard for Mrs Tidderman I have asked her to come tomorrow and see what is to be done as I think you will choose to be by yourselves if you do help, not mixed up with the Venables after Mrs Malone's taking Bipy in for a stall I am rather suspicious - I sent for a lot of [Madeira?] Booklets which if they come in time will just do, otherwise I [?] not how you are to fill a stall. We do not yet know what was left of our things. Bipy bought a [pen?] from Mrs Tidderman. You will be shocked to hear the news arrived in the village yesterday that Mr Mitchell was found in his bed with a loaded pistol shot through the heart!! I can scarcely believe it. Please get me the [drills?] like those you bought in Paris - one for Dr [Hoskins?] which have in London directed to him there is a way of getting things to Guernsey. I have many orders for [Boxes?] which I sell for the benefit of the Industrial School in [Page?] St. Bipy is so come out that you will scarcely know her. You must take her under your protection if there is any gaity. I can do nothing but be still. I am thankful after this alarming sequence. I have had to be so well tho' I must be some sort of Invalid, perhaps all my life. I cannot bear a hot room or much light and going into public appears out of the question so I shall be very glad to have you back and I think that Bipy must then have an outing, these are schemes for Northumberland and the Lakes to visit the [Ryle?] family and Mrs Webber. First after you have been home a little I want Caroline to go by herself to the Deanery - she cannot move without Bipy and must have to get more independent - Ask Miss Leake from me to furnish you with money which I am sure you will want and it shall be repaid forthwith in Bank of England Notes. I had nothing to say and I have filled all this. The garden looks very gay and I am [out any way?] together you will be charmed with the Pony and Carriage. We are all agreed that we are glad to be rid of Neale and William and the horses.

God bless you
[yr?] very affectionate M.B.

Monsieur,
J’ai reç les objets que vous m’avez adressés et je m’occupe dans ce moment de l’execution des figures demandees dans votre letter avec laquelle vous m’avez honorez.
Je dois vous dire que Monsieur Agassiz avant de partir m’a prie de dessiner pour Monsieur Lyell les figures en grande parti semblables à celles que vous demandez, et il m’a dit que les figures devraient faire partie d’un [chapiter?] que Monsieur Lyell avaid deja ecrit avec l’aide de lui. Mr. Agassiz les esquisses pour ces dessins avaient été deja traces par Monsieur Agassiz lui même et leurs endroits marques. Il ne me reste que l’execution des dessins sur le bois Il me paroit ainsi de votre letter que je ferai les mêmes dessins pour deux ouvrages differents.
Je vous écris cette observation et si vous voudriez bien avoir la bonté de ecrire à Monsieur Agassiz il vous saura certainement mieux expliquer cette affaire
J’ai l’honneur de vous representer les considerations les plus parfaits avec lequelles je suis
Monsieur
Votre tres humble et trés obeisant serosteur
[Jos. Dinkel?]
London 3rd Dec [1836?]