Cotmania. Vol. VI. 1930-31

Sept 13. 1930. Saw at Norwich Castle Museum the pencil
\ *\drawing by J.S.C of 'Via Mala' which was purchased at
Messrs. Geldart's sale last April by R.J.C. To it is
appended a note by Joseph Geldart -
This drawing has a double interest for me in the fact
that it was my first lesson made before me in an
hour by J.S.Cotman from a very slight & imperfect
sketch made by me the year before, [i.e. 1828:]
for others in the circumstance that the Master was
at the twice suffering from one of those fits of
deep melancholy to which he was periodically
subject & which tendered it almost impossible
for him to speak or even to look up. All this I
remember after 50 years as tho' it were
yesterday.
Joseph Geldart.
(1808 - 1882)
Jan: 24. 1880.

[Note: probably c June 1829. See J.S.C's letter to
Rev: J. Gunn. June 26. 1829. 'My views in
life are so completely blasted'. etc.]