The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

Dawson Turner Esq. September 20. 1811.
Yarmouth < Castle Rising >
Norfolk.

Dear Sir,
Feeling as I do the value of your Friendship and the interest you have so kindly shown in my work of Etchings, calls forth my gratitude, respect and every wish to be more deserving of that favour. Having therefore no doubt of your sincere friendship whilst I deserve it, I cannot any longer refrain from adding my [illegible 1 word] to give you pleasure, which I am sure it will to hear I have been going on successfully. It is useless to mention the many doorways etc, I have drawn, as they would be no more than so many names. The inside of the Red Mount I have drawn in two points of view - and I must add Britton is most unpardonably incorrect, both in the general & in the detail. I have sketched a fine screen to a dormitory at Oxburgh - the Gateway, ill. Also an end of an old Parsonage at Methwold, not totally unlike Barsham - a picturesque tower - West Dereham, North Entrance, Wallington Hall - South Runcton, round East End. Of Norman, or Saxon, doorways Tottenhill bears the bill, Holme, Shouldham, Barton, Shingham, are all excellent and only wait I think your inspection for you to say so too. Middleton tower, Pentney Abbey Gate, Marsham are good. I find I'm writing a catalogue. Castle Rising is most delightful. And I am so far fortunate to have sketched a range of Arches, between the ceiling & roof only seen by accident from the light admitted through a small break in the roof, which is now repaired and all is once more dark. As it was I was obliged to sketch it by the light of 3 candles (for my paper) the object itself being lighted from the aperture which did not extend to where I sat, so had anybody come unawares upon me they must have been startled with the singularity of the scene. For this I have to thank the Reverend E Edwards. The front I have compleated (sic), also part of the Castle. which is most delightfully