The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

future time he may be sorry for it, should he propose bringing up his son to the same profession, for thus, by degrees he might have left it off to him. Respecting myself, should my Norfolk work answer, it would do away the cause of my residing at Yarmouth particularly as I should not have time to dedicate to teaching. Thus, I should be sorry to remove to a House smaller than the one I am now in. And to one over the Bridge, which I should prefer, the rent would be double - if not treble - my present Rent. Besides the more I practise, the more I perceive I have to learn myself , and having perceived my first attempts approved of, with a shady perseverance mixed with ambition to excel, I hope if not to equal, at least to do something worth having lived for. In short, I think upon nothing else - so much does it engross my thoughts, and I have a dread of anything likely to take me from it. Under such circumstances, perhaps I had better decline all thought of removing to Yarmouth.
As to the Wrappers, my intention is merely to give a plain olive coloured paper on which I shall paste the title etc of the book to be printed on a yellow paper about six or eight inches square. And I shall insert the fly leaf perspective, also a ticket stating that the Letterpress will be given in the last number. For these limits accept my sincere thanks - and I am very sorry I have not the art of writing in my compass. The seal you sent me will answer my purpose extremely well. I think it admirably cut and very spirited. I nearly finished one of the [[pencil note: S/gate?]] Drawings, but did not like it, and therefore destroyed it. When I get a little settled & begin to feel my ground of this my new world , I will try it again, but I cannot see how it is approved of. An Author cannot feel worse at the first drawing up of the curtains than I do. How I could have had so little feeling at the outset of my first scratches I now cannot tell.
With respects to Mrs Turner,
I am, dear Sir, your obliged & devoted servant.
John S. Cotman