Cotmania. Vol. IV. 1929-30

2 Scarth Road, Barnes Common, London, S W 13
Telephone: Putney 6535.
26th January 1930
My dear Kitson
I beg your pardon, dear Mr Kitson. The Watercolours Annual arrived last night, and I was compelled to neglect my duties as a father, a husband & an unsuccessful author until I had read your paper on Cotman. It has only one glaring & conspicuous fault; it is too short. In all other respects it is an admirable and delightful performance. I've not seen anything for many years that has been written on any English artist which has given me so much pleasure. Its outstanding merit is that it is written by a plain sensible Englishman. This probably sounds far from flattering, but it is really a very high compliment. When you think of the pretensions tosh and all the one-sided and ill-balanced judgments to which we are accustomed, you can perhaps form some idea of the pleasure it gives to come into contact with a sane mind.
Your paper to me was like a breath of fresh air. It has done me a power of good. It was like a message from the eternal wisdom, reminding me that all my contemporaries who take an interest in art are not cranks or crooks.
Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your work, & my most grateful thanks for the joy & encouragement you have