Dear Mrs Buckland
I beg to offer for Miss Marianne’s acceptance a knitted cap I purchased at Meeda in 27 it was the work of the little Babes of the Ecole Primaire established by the Beguines. Pray shew it Mr Duncan whenever the christening takes place I shall beg to offer a X-tening robe to therefore spare your working fingers. I send the Professor of Pomology 2 specimens of Profane apples grown in this Park (very good keepers) & 1 specimen of Religious apple given me by the B(isho)p of B(ath) & Wells. I shall be glad to see my pocket book as soon as Mr. Duneen has [?] me his contribution- Mr Bragge has been our guest all this week & went to drink tea with us last night to see a great curiosity - an ancient Beauty the dow(age)r Lady Pembroke the [?] [?] of Geo.3. I send a roll of L[or]d [Powis’s]? hot water plan I don’t want it returned
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
My address is:-
W. Postamt 30
Reichstag
19 April 1880
Dear Mr. Buckland
It was a great pleasure to receive your letter as a proof of your progressing recovery. Since I wrote last, we have worked hard to mend the plaster, & today a respectably recommended painter is at work to cover with color the mended portions, the cracks d(itt)o. No care was omitted when opening your boxes I was personally present. Never did I see a greater havoc as that which this short & easy journey had produced. The damage is practically irreparable. Alas! there is no hope, apparently of seeing the rest of your boxes in time for the Opening & for the Crown Prince’s official visit. My hope is that they may arrive in time to be shown to Their Majesties who have announced their visit for Thursday 22nd out of courtesy to their Son, & wishing to leave him the first place at the
opening ceremony, they have preferred not coming on the First Day. You will receive by next mail a Newspaper -! ‘Berliner Tageblatt’ containing a brief notice of your exhibits in an article which bears my name. The number is printed expressly in honour of the
Opening.
I shall send you whatever comes under my notice in other papers
Let me confess to you (privately) that there is a rage a fury here against the English for having affronted Germany by refusing to take part in our Exhibition. I do my best to tranquillize the correspondents of English newspapers here, also who feel the approbrium cast upon England by that abstention. Lord ----Rupell/Russell I am informed is very much displeased too. Under the circumstances, it will be difficult to create anything like a kindly feeling here, unless you can come yourself & carry everything before you by your enthusiasm
Believe me
Yours very sincerely
Go Bunsen
Berlin W. 17 Maien Strasse
5.5 1880
Dear Sir
I have just sent off my catalogue to you per bookpost, all the exhibits that have arrived are marked by a cross (No1300 - 1358 ) The German Fishery Society having no Museum or Library could not give any space for things presented to them. But the “ Prussian Ministry of Agriculture” will be very glad to place the interesting reports kindly presented by you & Mr. S. Walpole in the library, and the present Exhibition building, which is destined for the “ Agricultural Museum” would be perfectly fitted to take in any exhibits presented to the “ Landwirtschaftliches Ministerium” as the present Exhibition takes place under the special auspices of Minister [Lucius?] & his right hand [Mr Marcaed?] Mr. Johnson will have let you know, that I am not able to find quite as many pictures & tables as marked on your list; perhaps the one or the other have remained behind? I count 4 (not 5) plans of Salmon passes & 4 (not 6) tables showing food of sea fish. The last fish was terribly broken, but has been perfectly repaired.
Believe me
Very truly yours
T. von Bunsen
Eversley Rectory
Winchfield
[June?] 17/69
My dear Mr. Buckland
I have been in such trouble and anxiety (all right now, thank God) that I have overlooked your letter. Many thanks for the Fisheries report most valuable full of sound sense: but what stupid people the English are. They will not see that Salmon food is a great national questions, like the cornlaws and must be carries, every one fielding his private rights for the common good. I have not read [?] [?] but I will. Meanwhile I beg to report to you [?] [?] to [?] My second specimen of Coronella Lovis, Coronella Austriaca. I suspect that he was at one time not uncommon here but killed by turf cutters as a Viper. He seems confined to these S. Eastern [moors?]. He may be an old pre-glacial form, as these moors were not submerged after the beginning of the glacial epoch, but as he has not spread over, side by side with the Natterjacks on my lawn, [?] late, just before the Straits of Dover were eaten through.
Yours ever
[C. Kingsley?]
Note on outside says 'Miss Mitford's Autograph'
1825 the Revd [Professor Buckland?]
Oxford
My dear Child
Thank God you are back safely so far! I want you very much. I dare not go out visiting and you and [Bipy?] must go to the new married Ladies in Oxford for me. You must take my place. I can well think you have worn out all your clothes that you are in rags. It is so awkward to be without money that I send £10 to refit a little. It is horribly cold here and my eye threatens again. Caroline is all but deaf entirely - this is very sad she certainly is more deaf in cold weather. The [?] Charles are coming for the commemoration they are delighted at the idea. We will discuss the Bazaar matter [?] as it will be I think I should like you to help Mrs [Tiddeman?] for Mrs Liddell is to take a part and I suspect that makes the Oxford Ladies [?] it down. Mrs T has made me some beautiful things I hear. I hope Frank's Lay studentship is safe I have my misgivings about it. Be sure you bring the rest of the Bazaar things if they are not sent before.
[On the reverse of the letter is written 'Old Letters M.B.B.]