The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

(pencil notes) 118
[Norwich]119

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Dawson Turner Esq Yarmouth.
Nov: 25. 1828.

Dear Sir,
I cannot suffer this day to pass on without thanking you for your kindness in lending to me your volume of Canaletti. It is trifling service you have rendered me by doing so, and I do not wish to lesten (sic) the obligation by making it appear as a trifle. Indeed it is to me an important loan. This is an age for works of splendour and imagination, but these cannot be [bottomed] on [[th.]] truth – however fictitious they may be in reality. And I beg to illustrate this position by referencing in the works of Sir Walter Scott and other authors of the same class, which are in literature what the pictures of Danby, Turner, Martin & Prout are in painting. City & town scenery and splendid architecture, mixed up with elegant landscape, make up the compositions of the day. Of the first I am totally deficient, having been deeply engaged in other walks. The present volume will assist me to fill up this gap and may enable me to appear once more before the public in borrowed plumes (no uncommon thing) till I can meet with scenes of this same kind to which I can give a local interest and a name.
My mind has been for a long time unstrung and incapable of exertion to a most frightful degree, but amidst it all I have prayed to God most fervently to have me from the climax of all earthly misery - and I hope he has most mercifully heard my prayer, for I do feel once more braced for action and the days once more too short!!! you have known & have borne with my many impurities most kindly and are entitled to hear of a change for the better, which I hope this letter will give us fallacious promise of. My study has even been to improve myself in the way of my profession so as not to disgrace the hand that has always been held out to m in friendship. Accept then, my dear Sir, once more my thanks for your kindness in acceding to my wishes so readily and believe me to be, with the most sincere regards,
Your obliged & faithful servant, John S. Cotman.
P.S. Since writing this letter I have been examining a recent purchase of a Seal, the impression of which shall be attached on the outside. It bears I think, the marks of an antique from the high polish of its surface & the character of head. The finish of the eye is extraordinary – for the iris, pupil and upper & under eyelashes are given! At all events it’s a beautiful head of high character & more than worth what I gave for it. Should it be an antique, another value is attached to it, and renders it of value as a gem. Ever since you have had your little ruby, I have been hunting after something sort, and I believe I have got it at last.