The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

Dawson Turner Esq, Yarmouth. Re favour of Misses Gurney's.
Norwich March 28-1812.

Dear Sir,
As you expressed a wish to know the time I shall come to Yarmouth, I avail myself of the liberty you have given me of writing to you through the medium of Misses Gurney's.
On Monday or Tuesday sennight (sic for week), should I be well enough, I propose myself the pleasure of being in Yarmouth. The weather having been so cold has been so much against me that, excepting one day, I have not left the house for one entire month. The wind is now changed and I trust will no more endanger me to a relapse.
I have tried to get a plate of my third No finished, before I got to Yarmouth, but t'was a vain attempt.
The Drawing of the Mill arrived quite safely, for which I thank you. I am afraid I shall always be in your debt for kindness's, and that every letter will, or ought to, feel thanks. I have again to repeat that beggarly word - for your clearing my character to Mr Edwards. But the time draws near where I shall feel to possess a bitter claim to your over-whelming kindnesses - by my exertions to teach your Daughters the Act you are so fond of, and which they are so capable of learning, if I can once make them fond of it.
I by chance picked up two original drawings done by myself twenty years since, which must for ever do away the idea of original genius. Therefore fondness for the Act and close application is all I ask from your Daughters to make you perfectly satisfied with their efforts.
I am, dear Sir,
Your very obliged Servant
John S. Cotman