The Cotman Letters 1834

Do you think it so? Just let me have your candid opinion on the subject, the very next time you write. I have no doubt you are tired by this time of all such stuff, but then what shall I do? I have nothing to tell you – that I recollect. --- Yes -- Father is in Yarmouth. He should have been home tonight – yet is not – The case you sent is arrived. Father did not chose [sic] I should go to Yarmouth with him. The reason he gave was he did not wish I should be bothered about such trifles as the school there was likely to prove. The true one I suspect was he wished to have no witness to the negociation he was upon. That I think is the true reason. [Marginal note in pencil by Kitson: borrowing money from D. T.?] I am glad to hear Priest’s picture is a good one. How do you do at your Academie’s? I do badly. I went to night found them at work on the same model I had fail[e]d in three times and heard the next night would be the last time – then I hope we shall have a Rustic. I am almost sure I shall give it up (the academy). I can get a subject any day I may desire one; and can moreover do it better in my own room and by day light at least I think so – it will be nearly as cheap, and the figure will not be so hackney[e]d – that is the worst of the academies – so many men have the same picture.
I last night amused myself by drawing one of the carvings hanging in the parlour, do you remember? I drew it large, (11in high by 6in wide) and made a tolerable drawing – I shall make duplicates of all by rubbing. [Pen-and-ink sketch of the carving] I have done so with a hand I copied by a looking glass. (my own hand) with enough success to warrant my doing others in the same way. Dixon has procured the skeleton hand for Geldart to copy. I shall make a drawing or two if possible from it as that must give me a greater knowledge of the machenery [sic]