15 January 1856

Notes by Joseph John Jenkins (1811–85), an early historian of the watercolour profession, on a meeting with John Henderson II (1797–1878), son of Girtin’s early supporter John Henderson (1764–1843) (Archives of the Royal Watercolour Society, J107/227)

Visited Mr Henderson at his House 3 Montague St Russell Square to see his Collection of drawings, & Pictures Stayed from ¼ past 11 until ½ past 2 - took Lunch with him - M^r Henderson has a very large collection - part were his Fathers who was college companion at Oxford with D^r Monro and afterwards lived next door to the D^r in the Adelphi Terrace. Garrick lived the door on the other side - M^r Henderson Sen^r and D^r Monro were both good amateur artists at their Houses Cousens Turner & Girtin when lads used to spend their evenings, and make Drawings, 3 / 6 each were given to them and a supper by way of encouragement - Many of the slight early Drawings in neutral tint - Indian ink & and were done at the Houses of D^r Monro and M^r Henderson. M^r Henderson exhibited me two early Drawings by Turner done from his Fathers pencil sketches - and many by Girtin - two or 3 from Dances (I think) Views in London in which the effects are altered another from Canaletti - these youths copied anything that came in their way changing altering or improving the effects according to their tastes or feeling of the moment - 

Cousens Drawings are of more poetical cast than either Girtins or Turners in their early Periods - both Girtin and Turner to a certain extent were topographical - Cousens scenery in Italy in which the gradations are beautifully and tenderly marked and are full of light possessing much of those qualities for which Turner afterwards became so renowned -

In addition to Cousens’ Turners & Girtins Early Drawings I saw many of Hearnes - neat and pretty but wanting in the better qualities of the others.