Cotmania. Vol. VII. 1931-2

fonder of his horrid Old Houses. The grandpaternal note about Cotman’s pencil drawings is very interesting because of its date. Are you going to look up the Bath Cotman? If not, shall I try? Bath isn’t altogether out of reach from here tho’ probably we shall not go there. I don’t encourage motoring more than I can help & this place is so inaccessible that we have to go about 10 miles to reach the main Dorchester Bridport road which we can see, just across the valley, about 1½ miles away as the crow flies. However if it wasn’t for the ancient but so far serviceable car we couldn’t exist here at all & Armide & Denys have both taken to driving it after the manner of their generation & are consequently happy here.
It rains today & is altogether gloomy, because this was the first morning which seemed to promise fair. I have been occupied with official matters after a day in town yesterday for a meeting which, put off because of cabinet affairs, brought two people from Northumberl[and] & two from Yorkshire & myself from here. What troubles we undergo for public affairs! I didn’t visit Meatyard nor did I see Duke. I therefore depend entirely on you for picture gossip. What was the priced catalogue in wh[ich] you wrapped the photo? – rather inadequate for that matter for it arrived somewhat crumpled I’m sorry to say.
Yrs ever
Paul Oppé.