James Northcote, London, to Samuel Northcote, watchmaker, Plymouth

1 piece

He is finding it difficult to earn his keep and find time for study; he has coloured some prints of birds for a dealer on Ludgate Hill, he then spends the evening at Sir Joshua's; he is upset that he does not improve more quickly in art, Sir Joshua says, "him who would make a great painter must know no hours of disipation"; Reynolds is pleased with his copies from Ruisdael and Vanderweld [van de Velde]; he lists prints that he has bought and seen; enquires about friends at Plymouth; he called on Mr. Mason and watched him work.