Godwin read Cunningham's Lives of the
Most Eminent British Painters just prior to meeting him for the first time. They meet on thirteen occasions between 1830 and 1835, mainly
in artistic circles associated with Pickersgill and Martin.
In addition, Ralph Thomas wrote a journal entry in 1832 describing a gathering at the painter John Martin’s with 'Hogg, the Ettrick
Shepherd, Mrs Burns and captain Burns, the youngest son of the poet, Allan
Cunningham and wife, Godwin, Pringle – and about a score more….' - and goes on to describe the evening, full of singing
of Burns songs, encores,
and toasts!
