Joseph Cottle, Bristol, to Messrs. Taylor & Messey, 93 Fleet Sreet, London, (by way of T. Campbell, Esqr.), 20 August 1823.

Bristol, Augt 20.th 1823.

Sir

        Will you be so obliging as to insert, among your Notices.

“Shortly will be published, by Mr Cottle, “Observations on the Oreston Caves, with their Animal Contents,” (Dedicated , by permission, to Sir Humphrey Davy.)   In this work will be given Engravings of the Fossil rermains of fourteen different animals, obtained, by Mr C, from these Caves, selected from between two and three thousand specimens of Jaws, Teeth, and Bones, in his possession. many of them in a high state of preservation.

     Mr C will publish the two following works, the 1st of next month, so that, if convenient, you may include them in your list of works, published, or to be published.

“Dartmoor, and other Poems, by Joseph Cottle, small 8vo” 5/s

“Strictures on the Plymouth Antinomians, by Joseph Cottle,” 8vo 2/6.

    In this last work, there is a notice of some of the most extraordinary discoveries that have ever been made in Geology.  I give you this intimation that you may refer to them, amongst the first, should it be your wish, in your well-edited Magazine.

P.S.  In the 3d Edition of my Selection, lately pubd, (Cadell) I have given some information respecting Chatterton, never before published.  page 297.  You may perhaps wish to insert it in your magazine.

         I am indebted to you, for some of the best pieces in my Selection.

         With a high respect for your Genius,

                     I am

                                 Sir

                                             Your most obedient Servant

                                                         Joseph Cottle

If you will do me the favour, to send to Mr Cadell’s for a copy of my Selection (on my account) I shall consider it as an obligation.

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 203-04 (annotated version); also MS. Montagu d. 4, fols. 122-23, Bodleian Library, Oxford.