Cope, Charles West, 1811-1890

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Letter to Frances Redgrave, Richard Redgrave's daughter. Cope thanks Frances for her letter and discusses acquaintances they share in the town where Frances and presumably her father are staying. Cope asks Frances to ask her father "if the council" can make "a donation to Mrs Finch - a poor lady [he] is interested in."

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Cope sends Redgrave "fifty pounds," "to prevent any loss of time in building." Cope asks "when is the varnishing day at the Gallery," and asks if Creswick [probably Thomas Creswick] has "been paid from the Liverpudlians." Cope asks after Redgrave's pictures and states that his own are "in that uncomfortable state where nothing seems to take." Cope has "procured" acid for a plate.

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Cope has been at "Thrupps for the draft of the lease." Cope says that "Walls will receive them on Thursday." Cope discusses a dispute about a "parting wall." Cope will see "Walls this afternoon and tell him to send it back as soon as he can."

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Cope addresses the letter to "Dear Groomsman." He hope Redgrave has "recovered from his kind actions in backing us up during the awful crisis." Cope writes about his travels with his new wife in the north of England after parting from Redgrave and describing the various places they stayed, presumably on their honeymoon, before returning south.

Scope and Contents: "Dear Redgrave, I have time to reply a line at once. Of course whatever you determine on I shall feel satisfied about, & by no means regret the countenance of the extra [….] as it will be more substantial, so you may as well proceed at once with the business - the extra 17£ can't be helped. I have received 3 other letters this morning. Sulivan and [...] all as kind as [...]. We are still here and shall remain I think till Tuesday morning. When we shall visit Castle Howard, then to Leeds...

Scope and Contents: "Dear Redgrave, I intend being in town on Saturday but our kind friends have prevailed on us to stay a few days longer, but I will endeavor to be at the Horsley's on Monday , & shall be greatly obligated if you will let me lie on a […] or anywhere the rest of the night. I can take up my quarters with the cat in the corner of your painting room. Pray get me a proof of my sketching[?] to save my fine, or if you are going late in the evening to Gad's[?], I will go with you & try to be...

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Cope apologizes for causing Redgrave any trouble regarding a debt and has tasked a Mr. Brittain with meeting Redgrave to settle an account. Cope is hard at work and will be in London "on Thursday next."

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"My dearest Redgrave, have you Horsley's sketch for the Barry series? I want to know his measurements, as to figures, plate, […] as I have an hour this morning when it is too dark for painting - […] C.W. Cope."

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Cope's wife has passed away. Cope describes the last moments of her life "a gush of life's blood from mouth & nose for a minute her spirit had flown." Cope thanks Redgrave and his wife for their "kind and heartfelt sympathy and asks Redgrave to mention the death to another friend."

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Cope writes to Redgrave about an issue with his painting "The Gentle Craft," at the Royal Academy Exhibition that year. He is upset that the gallery sales clerk has not posted the sale price with the painting even thought Cope had sent a paper with the price. Cope worries that other paintings will be similarly treated. He states that the attendant "deserves serious punishment."

Scope and Contents: Cope thanks Redgrave for his attention to the matter regarding the sales clerk at the Royal Academy Exhibition [see previous letter]. Cope states that he thinks the attendant is not "qualified" for the position due to his poor writing skills in a note he had written to Cope. Cope is unwell. He is "anxious to hear what conclusions the Council have come to on [Redgrave's] motion" and wishes Redgrave to write to tell him the result. He also wishes to know the results of the "Exhibition receipts...

Scope and Contents: Cope discusses the issue with the Royal Academy exhibition "keeper" [see previous two letters]. He thanks Redgrave for bringing up the matter at the general meeting. Cope describes the "keeper" as a "mere nobody" and is upset that Mr Eyre is "forced by circumstances to do more than he ought to be expected & do more than his position in the body warrants." Cope is happy that Redgrave's suggestion for a "stronger administration power" was accepted and states that "we are now fast drifting...

Scope and Contents: Marked private. Cope inquires after "next Thursday's meeting." Cope says he has spoken with "our […]" and that this person stated "that he believed there was nothing but the naked proposition to be brought forward. […] to abolish." Cope writes that "the Sunday question was ousted in council." He discusses a "JCH." And asks Redgrave "is then this a time for us to go back? To reduce our Schools, now so well advanced & well attended to their former state of neglect?" Cope states that he has...

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Cope wishes Redgrave a happy New Year and tells of the new house they have moved to. Cope apologizes for not having visited the Redgraves before leaving Town. Cope asks Redgrave what he thinks of "the proposed new 'Painter Etchers" society" and wonders if it should be recognized by the Etching Club. Cope inquires after Redgrave's opinion about the "proportion of the Etching Club."

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Cope agrees with Redgrave that they should obtain a gift for the secretary of the Etching Club and suggests a "flagon, to be used as a sort of loving cup." Cope asks after Redgrave's daughter Evelyn and suggests Redgrave's daughters visit "us" stating that " the change will do them good." Cope mentions a Mrs Farrier whose mother has just passed away.

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Cope thanks Mrs Redgrave on behalf of his wife for inquiring after Cope's health. Cope's faculties are returning although he is "still awfully weak." He writes that " God has been pleased to bring him back from the very jaws of death." Cope fears that a "change has taken place and that [he] is not what [he] was."

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Cope writes that the "man [Redgrave] wished for will be with [him] soon." Presumably referring to Cope himself. Cope describes a cricket match. Cope is looking forward to "a little outdoor work" with Redgrave.

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Cope recounts a letter from Fearnley [Thomas Fearnley?] in which Fearnley requests "3 proofs of each of his own last plates" as well as proofs of "our numbers" "all printed on Newman's Strong India Paper." Fearnley also asks to be remembered by the Etching Club.