The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

Your Yarmouth Plate is finished, should the Plate turn out a good impression, if not I will retouch it and work on parts that may appear too light. I bestowed considerable pains upon the Etching of it, but the weather was so intensely cold at the time the aqua fortis acted upon it that I was almost distracted lest all should be lost, for the varnish broke up in almost every part of it. I was too far gone to recede and ran all hazards. It turns out considerable better than I had expected from its foul biting, but not so well as it would had I had a fair ground to depend upon. Besides all this, the ground was laid eight or nine times to prevent hazard. I do not advance all this to enhance its value, but merely to do away any suspicion of carelessness in your order.
I take the liberty of sending you the undermentioned subscibers, as I know it will be a pleasure to you to hear I have any addition to the list.
Joseph Gurney Esq. Grove - Folio.
Mrs Richard Gurney, Keswick. 4to (quarto).
Henry Bell Esq. Wallington Hall - Folio.
Reverend P.W. Moore, Framlingham Earl - Folio.
I am now about the Saxon arches, under the town, Castle Rising. To whom should I dedicate this plate , should I adopt this plan. It is a beautiful subject. The Reverend: Edwards told me of it, or it would have passed me unnoticed. I would dedicate to him, but I know he would feel more pleasure in seeing his name to the Lady's Chapel. Therefore, John Gurney Esq, Lynn, stands first on my list for that subject- If you approve, favour me with what will be proper to say on such a subject, and with his arms, proper.
South Gate; Interior of the Priory; N.W.Town- Yarmouth. Part of Castle Rising Castle: Doorway Barton St Mary done, if well done, not else. Arches, inside of Castle Rising Church - now about. December 6th 1811. My Boy is playing with his new Apple mill, more delighted than ever Piranesi was with his finest etchings-