The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

96
(pencil note) [To Dawson Turner Esq]
July 15. 1826.

Dear Sir,
I thank you for your friendly letter, but the disease your try to know has been been (sic) of too long a standing and too deeply rooted for such prescription. But it is not for me to deny you the satisfaction of assuming you I can never be invisible to the motive.
I shall be glad if you will pay for me the sum of £12- 4. 6. to Mrs George Foord, 52 Wardour street, Soho London. This debt is caused by my very last exhibition in London and forms only a part - the whole being but a few shillings under £30 !!! This was forseen by me and risked and is now lost, to add to my other sums of wretchedness. Norwich has been visited in all its streetsto find a house, but without effect. Those of 25 & 30 pound rentals are wretched, both in point of size and situation. My thoughts are humbled, God knows. But, oh God, save me from squallid & utter wretchedness. This I am not yet prepared for - but I must [[be]] soon be so. I have beeen for years seeing my efforts and property wasting away. But until lately I have been supported by hope.
When that fled, fled everything. You are a father. My only daughter, after months of attendance on a sick mother - depriving in consequence of instructions proper for her- has till lately born up & tried to tender comfort in every way to her & to me by all her little attentions - attentions that none but a Father can know. She I saw, with all the agony of a Father, daily sinking both in mindand body till her kind Uncle invited her to Diss - where all is light heartedness. She returns to me, to her Father, to a most affectionate Father, on tuesday- But what will be her reception? How can she see his house all desolate? 'Tis so little like what it was. I dread to see my child. The kiss, the nothings she had ever to give and the bound she ever gave when I called her remain to me. These things belong only to the parent,

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(pencil note in margin)
in connection with his exhibits at the O.W.S? 1825. 3 works 1826. 8 works
(Old Watercolour Society)