Lord Buxley: Aquarist by Appointment:

As a scholar, gentleman, traveller and explorer it has been my privilege, over the years, to have beheld and documented many wonders of the natural world. From the frozen Toads of the highest peaks of the Himalayas to the extraordinary one-eyed lizards of the grassy plains of Bora-Bora.

However, as exhilarating as all of my travels to date have been, there is nothing that could have prepared me for the wondrous hitherto unexplored depths of our great and majestic oceans.

My recent underwater explorations were of course, in no small part, made possible by my dear friend M. Jacques Custarde, who rightfully lays claim to having invented the most ingenious sub-aquatic diving machine ‘the Bath-o-Sphere’.  Some have described this as nothing more than an up-turned bath tub to which I say, ‘tosh, sir, tosh’ as it quite clearly two up-turned bath tubs and two bread tins but there the comparison ends … for encased  within is a technological wonder that would have Mr H G Wells’ head spinning.

Having for years having glimpsed the mere shadows of heads, fins and tails, imagine my wonderment, dear reader, at finding myself fathoms down in the midst of what can only be described as a sociological spectacle beyond belief. For there, in the ocean’s cold depths, exists an highly evolved piscis congregatio; a society of fish and all manner of aquatic life that mimic and mirror our own class structures, customs, social rules, bienséance and astonishingly, even our donnish whims.

I am aware, dear reader, that my studies have prompted a barrage of cynicism whose barbs decry my findings as nothing more than the direct result of M. Custard’s curious ‘absinthe & air’ oxygen mix in his diving Bath-o-Sphere.  I forgive the critics, for I too would have been incredulous had I not witnessed these sights at first hand. The drawings and sketches displayed here are indeed my testimony to a remarkably rich and distinctly diverse water-life.

Still it would seem further proof is required if my critics are to be silenced and thus, the reluctant sale of these works will, in part, assist my further research into the discipline of socio-aquatics in ocean depths, with the remainder of monies being put toward the founding of a Coral Embassy to forge and maintain relations between the British Government and this hitherto undiscovered society of the great seas.
 
Graciously yours in earnest,
Lord Arbuthnot Horatio Buxley (H.D.F.A.)

Punk John Dory Aggressive and very ugly fish, goes well with butter.