Letter from Sir Henry Englefield, England, to John Sell Cotman, 1807? : autograph letter signed.

Commenting on the drawings he received from him; saying "...I like the greater part of them extremely. In the interior views you have been peculiarly happy both in the tints & the management of light. The Cottage near Hadleigh is excellent & in the clear tone which I like. I own that I disapprove of the dark skies you so often introduce. They are, if not out of nature, very rare in nature, & should be very seldom resorted to by artist but he should vitiate his eyes & be led away by the strong effect produced by them. The Tower of Withingham Church, errs in the other extreme. No building (unless built of coals) could be so black, & the red near the horizon I could not for some time at all understand. You see that I am as of old, a free critic, & I would enter into more particulars had I at the moment either time or indeed Spirits. You do not perhaps know that my poor Brother in law has been for near 6 weeks dangerously ill. This complaint began by inflammation on the Lungs & seems still to threaten fatal mischief in his breast. You will well imagine my poor Sisters anxiety & that of all his children. God bless you Dear Cotman & be assured of my real interest in your welfare. Give me a line to say you have received the Draft. I shall write again ere long to desire you to go to work for me again."