Arthur Dixon letters
Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/1
Page: 38 recto
-
Description
Letter of Arthur Dixon to John Joseph Cotman, 10 December 1834
Dixon is aware he should have written earlier. He has learned, from a letter sent by John [Sell Cotman] to Edmund, that JJC will not come to Norwich until the 24th or 25th. The time before their reunion is passing slowly, but in the year of their separation he has come to appreciate JJC's fine qualities all the more. In JJC's absence, he has alternated beween sadness and happy reminiscences. He did not write immediately because he was occupied with drawing up accounts and with his duties as parish clerk, for which office he wears a fine uniform (but no wig). Dixon asks if Francis Walter is to return immediately to London when JSC leaves Norwich, or to remain in Norwich; also if the rest of the family will leave together with him.
Date: 1834
-
Transcription
[Note added in pencil by Kitson:
18
17
]Norwich 10 Dec 1834
Neither do I allow it to be an excuse for my not writing to you my dear John, nor do I offer it for one, that I have been continually under "the preventive check". I ought to have written before this, I feel that I ought, for many reasons, but I confess I have suffered the appearance of "many things to attend to, & to do" to deter me from exercising the authority of determination which is necessary to secure to oneself the privileges of privacy and pleasures of communion with "mine own friend". –
How are you my dear fellow? – Send me "hearty" – (by the bye, don’t <misunderstand me). If you should, let it all evaporate in one "Oh fie Arthur"! –
I find from Edmund by a letter he rec[eive]d this morning through John’s parcel, that you do not come untill the 24th or 25th. Time has lamed himself lately, the old thing is such a cripple he scarce limps along. What shall I do with the old Fogy? – The days that I want to see fly by, make no better hand of flying than does the old woman here that goes clucking about the house fancying herself a hen that wants to set. – It seems an age before I shall see you. My desires go before with such a
