The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

To Dawson Turner Esq, Yarmouth.
Norwich. March 7 - 1812.
Dear Sir,
From my last letter you were led to suppose I should have gone to Bungay on the following Monday or Tuesday. I had begun a plate in rather a new way and, being lothe (sic) to leave it, was determined to finish it and see the effects by proofs. I am sorry to say that other objects, too trifling to fatigue you with, have wholly prevented my going to Bungay this time.
(pencil note in margin of above paragraph) (?)S.Door Wimbotsham Ely Plate X.

To-day (1 word illegible) I finished my fifth plate of the second No, and by my diligence I had hoped to made up in your opinion for my negligence in the first article.Monday next would have been the finish of the sixth, and thus I should have been forward indeed. My sixth Plate is still to commence, for on the Saturday I finished my last fatigue & the effluvia from the Nitric Acid brought on n illness which I am just recovering from - though it was not dangerous, it was quite sufficient to prevent me doing any one thing. Had this happened at the conclusion of the sixth plate I could have borne it with more fortitude , for it has cut to the quick what I have been anxiously aiming at - to surprise you with the compleation (sic) of the whole long before you, or I either, could expect from the calculations of a winter's day. As it is I hope to be in sufficient time. Thanks to Mr Rigby, he has placed me on my legs long before I expected it, and I have even tried to etch, but my finger will not guide the needle sufficiently well to make out a terminal line, o I a obliged to sit & read Sir Joshua, and Perspective, that I may not seem deficient before any pupils. The more I read of the latter the more I discover the utility of perspective, not to be applied positively on the paper whilst sketching, a plans etc, would be necessary, but to be rebtained in the mind's eye.

My last plate is dedicated to Edward Rigby Esq, and I believe will prove the best of the five. As I cannot draw I shall now walk, for the fineness of the day invites me out, which may possibly do away with the great oppression I feel on my head & chest.
(pencil note in margin of above paragraph) St Lawrence's Well, Norwich Plate XI.

I m, dear Sir, most sincerely our obliged & faithful servant
John Sell Cotman.