Mrs Delany and the Duchess were by no means idle at Bulstrode. The Duchess was a great collector and she had bought and been given a large quantity of shells which Mrs Delany built into a grotto called the “cave”. While the Duchess studied philosophy Mrs Delany would do some form of needlework. They were both very interested in the natural world and encouraged visits from eminent botanists like Sir Joseph Banks, and Dr. Solander, In 1772 when she was 73, Mrs Delany wrote to her niece 

“I have invented a new way of imitating flowers, I’ll send you next time I write one for a sample.” 

She had developed remarkable skill with scissors. Her love of plants combined with a superb sense of design and meticulous attention to detail were evident in her needlework. Putting all these skills together, she developed her new art which she called paper mosaicks. She would take a plant specimen and cut minute particles of coloured paper to represent the petals, stamens, calyx, leaves, veins, stalk and other parts of the plant. Using lighter and darker paper to form the shading, she stuck them on to a black background. She would then build up layers of different coloured paper to create a picture of the plant. She became so famous for this work which she called “hortus siccus” (Plants, Copied after Nature in paper Mosaick…)” that the King would send her plants from his gardens at Kew, some would come from Chelsea Physic Garden and friends would bring special specimens as presents for her. Over the next 10 years she created almost one thousand mosaics. It was not surprising that Fanny was exceedingly drawn to her and cultivated the acquaintance. Fanny’s first visit was to 33 St. James’s Place on Sunday, January 19, 1783 and this is her record:

“Mrs Delany was alone in her drawing-room, which is entirely hung round with pictures of her own painting, and Ornaments of her own designing. She came to the door to receive us. She is still tall, though some of her height may be lost: not much, however, for she is remarkably upright. She has no remains of beauty in feature, but in countenance I never but once saw more, and that was in my sweet maternal grandmother. Benevolence, softness, piety and gentleness are all resident in her face;…

Mrs Chapone presented me to her, and taking my hand, she said,- ‘You must pardon me if I give you an old-fashioned reception for I know nothing new.’ And she saluted me…She then mentioned her regret that we could not stay and spend the evening with her…’I am particularly sorry on account of the Duchess Dowager of Portland, who is so good as to come to me in an evening, as she knows I am too infirm to wait up her grace myself: and she wished so much to see Miss Burney. But she said she would come as early as possible.’

About seven o’clock, the Duchess dowager of Portland came. She is not near so old as Mrs. Delany; nor, to me, is her face by any means so pleasing; but yet there is sweetness, and dignity, and intelligence in it. Mrs. Delany received her with the same respectful ceremony as if it was her first visit, though she regularly goes to her every evening. …She immediately presented me to her. Her grace courtesied and smiled with the most flattering air of pleasure, and said she was particularly happy in meeting with me…”

Fanny describes Mrs Delany’s “new art”.“It is staining paper of all possible Colours, and then cutting it out, so finely and delicately, that when it is pasted on Paper or Vellum, it has all the appearance of being Pencilled, except that, by being raised, it has still a richer and more natural appearance. The effect is extremely beautiful…They are all from Nature, and consist of the most curious flowers, plants and weeds that are to be found…”