The Cotman Letters 1834

present. Saturday [29 March]. Papa has just given me Ellen Day’s letter to read which I admire exceedingly, it shows her kind, and good heart and also her good ability, such a girl as her I could love dearly I am quite sure, however unfit I may feel for such a comparison but example is everything and with her I should have a good one, reading that letter has made me once more feel my incapability of writing, but on this subject I should be silent for instead of amusing you I shall make you uneasy.
You tell me in your letter, John, that I have many things to see in London, I feel that I have, still with all that I do not care about leaving Norwich, I think that I should be more quiet and comfortable keeping either your house or Edmund’s, for after all bustle is not the thing I like, not that I have the least idea of doing this but it is what I should like. I often think of those delightful walks we have taken, and wonder within myself when I shall again have that pleasure. John, I am a strange girl such a one as it would puzzle a conjuror to make out, I am often astonished at my ownself, no wonder then that I should puzzle others. I do not feel myself exactly in the mind for letter writing but as my Papa is going to send a parcel I would trouble you with a letter to read.
I am expecting Marianne Dennington this afternoon to invite Edmund, Walter and myself to spend the Monday evening, but this I think we shall decline it being the last day Papa and Mama will be in Norwich. then, John, only think, I shall be left my own Mrs., will not this be fine fun? Papa does not appear so satisfied with my drawing as I could have wished but this perhaps I ought not to have expected. my others he has not yet seen but I have no doubt he will say the same with