Turner's interest in capturing reflected light on land and sea is evident in this attractive sketch of the small coastal town. It is one of many drawings he made connected with Dr Monro's evening 'Academy' during the 1790s. Monro was a doctor at the Bethlem Hospital (known as Bedlam), London, where Turner's mentally ill mother was admitted in 1800 and died in 1804. Monro, an accomplished amateur draughtsman, encouraged young artists to copy landscape sketches from his collection, colour each other's outline drawings and practise topographical exercises. He provided supper at a small fee as well as a pleasant environment for study.