The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

Addressed to Mr. J.S.Cotman
St. Andrew’s Street
Norwich.

                                    Hesleyside    April 6th 1811.
                                        Hexham
                                            Northumberland

Dear Mr. Cotman,
I deferr’d thanking you for your kindness in offering me your valuable Etchings till I had received them that I might at the same time tell you how much I admire them and how truly grateful I feel for your remembrance of me. To say how nearly they resemble your pencil drawings is sufficient to prove how delightful they are, but to me there is in some of them a strength and softness which excels even your original sketches. Those that have particularly struck me are Croyland, Howden, the trees in Duncombe Park, and a Gateway at Rivaulx (sic). Perhaps the pleasing though now Alas! painful recollections they brought to my mind have made them doubly interesting to me. I will not dwell on a subject which to your affectionate heart must still be so distressing, but every thing that recalls to me those scenes which my dear departed Mother illumined with her presence, forces from me an almost involuntary Expression of regret. I flatter myself you still feel sufficient interest in your ancient pupil to be pleased to here (sic) any thing concerning her or her present family. My little boy who has been my best comforter in my late heavy and unexpected affliction, though rather delicate at first is now become a very fine lively Child and grows every day more amusing. I am at present enjoying the Society of my Sisters, so that with my dear Charlton and my lovely