Cotmania. Vol. III. 1928-9

{Kitson's account}
The Society of Antiquaries had an engraved portrait of Sir Henry Englefield [Bought] by C. Turner - Warren Street, Fitzroy Square, published Oct. 20.1821. After a painting by T. Phillips R.A.
In 1799 (June 13) Sir H.C.E presented to the S of A an oil painting of the Fire of London. It is considered to be an 18th Century copy of the contemporary painting by Waggoner in the hall of the Painter Stainers.
The S of A has a large folio book of miscellaneous drawings of Norfolk. Among them a very beautiful ink + [?] wash plans section and elevation of Norwich Cathedral by John Adey Repton (1775-1860) the drawings for John Britton's Cathedral Ant[iquitie]s of G.B. Norwich 1816.
J. A. R was in a Norwich arch[itect]'s office, then 1796-1800 assistant to John Nash.
There is also an elevation of St Ethelbert's Gate Norwich, by J. A. Repton Esq. F.S.A. (elected 1803) 'Presented to the S of A Dec.15.1803.' This drawing is very interesting as showing the 'Cotman-Thirtle' influence.
There are 3 pencil drawings (poor) 'Ladbrooke 1804' of the Dormitory of Norwich.

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{Article}
OLD AND MODERN SILVER WORK
To the Editor of the Morning Post.
Sir- What is our old silver, for the most part, compared with living craftsmanship? Is not this latter the most precious thing to be saved? This indiscriminate buying of antiques is illogical and harsh in its results; it is doing endless damage in all the applied arts. Almost everything old is to some people preferable to a modern creation. What, after all, is wrong with the latter but the effects of neglect? The spirit of craft is not dead. Those who labour to create to-day are as staunch for beauty and goodness as were their forebears, and their best is infinitely better than 90 per cent. of the "antiques" that get on the market, and is actually almost as good as anything belonging to any age.
What is being lost by American purchase is well lost for the most part. Its influence on taste is harmful, for it represents a debased type of silver, viz., Rococo, Baroque, Renaissance. Many of these pieces are utterly vulgar and commonplace. Our really fine old silver we hang on to, as we should, for it represents our true tradition.
So do not let us regret this exportation of mediocre old silver, for it is, at any rate, preparing the ground for the living craftsman. The example of John Sell Cotman, in another sphere of work, should not be forgotten in these so-called enlightened times. - John B Harrison

1. High-row, Darlington

{Kitson's notes}
Morning Post, March 4 (?) 1929
Whatever is the man driving at?