The Cotman Collection | 18

Cotmania. Vol. III. 1928-9

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/2/1/3
Page: 8 recto (numbered 13), insert 1, verso


  • Description

    Letter from Hugh C. Fairfax-Cholmeley

    Date: 17-Oct-28

  • Transcription

    As you say he was at Byland on the 7th & he [crossed out - had been] was close by at Newborough on the 9th to the 10th.
    The diary stops on Jan 27th 1908 when Mrs Cholmeley died & I cannot find any of the intervening volumes [until] between then and Oct. 1920, which is very unfortunate.
    You must remember that it was my Grandfather Francis who married about 1809 & wrote to Cotman in 1810 announcing the legacy of his mother to Cotman. His mother was the sister of Sir H. Englefield, the connoiseur [sic] & patron of arts. Her brother Sir H. E. lived for some years after that & I have always supposed that it was his influence & that of his sister which brought into such familiarity with the artistic & literary circles of their time. Her husband my great grandfather Francis was the man with the blue coat painted by Jean Girardet of Nancy. He was evidently a man of taste and discrimination.
    I enjoyed the afternoon we spent over the diaries & am delighted to have been of use to you. If you ever feel inclined to come again & look round this country or try to hunt up more Cotman memories I should be very pleased if you would come & stay & make our house headquarters for studying the neighbourhood. I hope you will write and propose a visit when you want to come.
    Yours very truly
    Hugh C. Fairfax-Cholmeley

Letter from Hugh C. Fairfax-Cholmeley