Draft of a letter to Van Dyck from William Cavendish the Earl of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, later 1st Duke of Newcastle KG, dated February 1636/7
Place, date
Welbeck Abbey, 2-1637
Archival reference
BL Add MS 70499 f. 218 & 218v
© British Library Board (Add MS 74099 f.218 & 218v)
Transcribed by James Innes-Mulraine
Referenced in:
How to cite: Innes-Mulraine, James. “Draft of a letter to Van Dyck from Lord Newcastle.” In Jordaens Van Dyck Panel Paintings Project. Edited by Joost Vander Auwera and Justin Davies.
jordaensvandyck.org/archive/draft-of-a-letter-to-van-dyck-from-lord-newcastle/ (accessed 10 October 2024)
Noble Sir/
The favors off my freinds, you have so transmitted unto mee, as the longer I looke on them the more I thinke them Nature, & nott Arte. – Itt is nott my Error alone, iff Itt bee a disease Itt Is Epidemicall, for sutch A powre hath your hande on the Eyes of Man-kinde . Nexte the Blessinge off your Companye & Sweetness of Conversation, The Greateste hapiness weare to bee an Argus or all over but one eye So Itt or theye weare Ever fixed Uppon that which Wee Muste Cale yours Whatt wants In Judge-ment I Can suplye With admiration; Ande scape the title of Ignorante since I since I have the Luck to bee astonish’d & in the righte Place; Ande the hapiness to bee Pationately
Your Moste Humble Servant
W. Newcastle
Welbeck this
Off February
1636
This transcription has no translation