From William Colchester   17 November 1853

My dear Sir

I am sorry that I cannot send you any duplicates as I have given all I had away to Charlesworth to assist his Society and my whole collection of Fossils is at the Ipswich Museum. The last time I saw them at the Museum a great many of them were stowed away in drawers and in rather rough condition but you will find all you want there I think–

I must leave further collecting to my youngsters as I cannot now spare the time – I hope that I shall be at your next lecture and have the pleasure of seeing you again – You will have seen by the Papers how Sir F. Thesiger and Sir Fitzroy Kelly have been for the last two or three days puzzling the judges about the Coprolite and M ^r Lawes Patent rights I suppose it will be settled this week – The deposits in Suffolk are fast wearing out and I am again at work in the neighbourhood of Cambridge – M ^r Lawes actions have been a great source of anxiety – litigation and expence to all but I think now it will be finally settled against his Patent rights –

I regret I cannot assist you with any duplicates but should I be able to get any before your lecture I will bring them with me

I remain |My dear Sir |faithfully yours |W. ^m Colchester