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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

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

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

William Ogilby was a zoologist. He is perhaps best known for this work around the classification order of cheiropoda, linking mammals who had hands. He was ZSL Secretary from 1839-1847.

Letters to William Ogilby

Letter from Edmund Wallace Elmslie, architect and surveyor of London Zoo, to William Ogilby regarding work in the Zoo by Mssrs Piper. Also an indenture between Edmund Wallace Elmslie and the Zoological Society of London regarding Elmslie's claims against the Society in relation to a contract between the Society and Mssrs Thomas Piper and Son

This Indenture made the twenty sixth day of May One thousand, eight hundred and forty seven between Edmund Wallace Elmslie of Carlton Chambers, Regent Street in the County of Middlesex, Architect of the one part and The Zoological Society of London of the other part. Whereas the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie has made divers claims against the said Society as the Architect and Surveyor employed by the said Society in relation to a certain contract between the said said Society and Messieurs Thomas Piper and Son of Bishopgate Street, Builders for the erection and performance of divers buildings and works and in relation to the superintendence by the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie as such Architect and Surveyor of the erection of such buildings and performance of such Works and of certain other buildings and works, and whereas various differences have arisen between the said Society and the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie in relation to his said employment and the services performed by the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie as the Architect and Surveyor of the said Society and to put an end to all disputes and differences it has been agreed that the said Society shall pay to the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie the Sum of One hundred pounds and that the said sum of one hundred pounds shall be accepted by the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie in discharge of all claims and demands whatsoever which he the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie may have against the said Society upon any account whatsoever and it has been further agreed that the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie shell execute such release to the said Society as is hereinafter contained
Now this Indenture Witnesseth that in pursuance of the said Agreement and in consideration of the Sum of One hundred pounds to the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie paid by the said Society at or immediately before the sealing and delivery of these presents. The receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. He the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie doth by these presents remise, release, exonerate and for ever discharge the said Society, their Successors and assigns and every of them and from all and all manner of Action and Actions suit and suits cause and causes of Action and suit accounts reckonings sum and sums of money disputes quarrels controversies claims and demands whatsoever which as against the said Society he the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie now has or ever had or which as against the said Society their Successors and assigns. He the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie his heirs executors or administrators can shall may or otherwise could or might at any time hereafter have claim or set up for or by reason or on account of any matter cause or thing whatsoever antecedent to the day of the date of these presents In Witness whereof the said Edmund Wallace Elmslie has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Signed sealed and delivered
by the above named Edmund
Wallace Elmslie
in the presence of
Robt. Edwd. Johnson
Austin Friars London
Solicitor

Received the day and year first above written of the above named Zoological Society of London the sum of One hundred pounds Sterling being the full £100 consideration money above expressed to be paid to me
As witness my hand

Robt. Edwd. Johnson E.W. Elmslie

7th Feby 1844

I hereby declare that Messrs Piper have not received any authorisation from me in writing or otherwise to underlet any part of the works in or about the terrace and dens - or in the Museum located in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London and farther that the words in the specification "letting" as [tack work?] mean underletting

E.W. Elmslie

Letters from William Ogilby to E J Bennett regarding his examination of skins and other matters at the Zoological Society of London

My dear Sir
I saw the skin of O Brevirostus this day at one o'clock' and examined it attentively without discovering the ocellus spot though in the other two skins it is of considerable extent too large. I should think to be so completely concealed by, a partial contraction of the skin. However Mr [Gould's?] observation in this aspect may possible be correct but as far as for the bill extending during the process of softening the skin he is altogether mistaken unless he maintains equally as the bones of the head will be prolonged in the same operation. There are besides other characters connected with the animal in question which confirm me in the idea of its being a distinct species and therefore I must request that the description be published in its present form. If there be any alteration or modification necessary it will be more properly the subject of a future notice, but delay on the present occasion would be only giving an opportunity for some other person to describe it in the meantime. I shall therefore be obliged to you to have the impression struck off as I sent it to you corrected.

Yours ever sincerely

W. Ogilby

To E.J. Bennett Esq