The Cotman Collection | 83

The Cotman Letters 1834

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/3
Page: 145


  • Description

    Copies of extracts from letters (1) from Lady Palgrave (Elizabeth Turner) to Dawson Turner, 11 April 1834, and (2) from Mary Ann Turner to Dawson Turner, 4 April 1834

    (1) John Joseph Cotman’s plans to teach in Hampstead. Francis Palgrave’s concern for him.
    (2) A visit from John Joseph Cotman to Hampstead, where he sketches on the Heath. The Cotman family is prepared for a reverse in their fortunes.

    Date: 4-11/04/1834

  • Transcription

    Lady Palgrave (Elizabeth Turner) to Dawson Turner
    April 11th 1834.
    Hampstead.
    ….. Frank saw Mr. Cotman last evening. He called on his way to a school higher up in Hampstead, where he hopes to have 6 scholars.
    I quite enter with your fears for him, and often tremble for the poor man. I was not well enough to see him last night, but Frank did not think him in high spirits.

    -----------------------“-----------------------
    Mary Ann Turner to Dawson Turner.
    April 4, 1834.
    Hampstead.
    …. We were surprised yesterday by a call from John Cotman, and not more surprised than pleased; for he is a young man of remarkable good manners and propriety. He took luncheon with us, at the children’s early dinner, and after spending some hours on the Heath, enjoying the very fine prospect, and making studies from Nature, he returned again to tea, bringing with him for us to see a portfolio of extremely beautiful drawings on tinted paper, in black & white chalks, by himself & his brother Edmund. These give the strongest appearance of talent in the 2 lads.
    J. Cotman spoke with affection & respect of his father, rejoicing in his father’s present happiness & chearful [sic] state of spirits, but I was glad to find that he and all his family are quite prepared for the reverse which I do entirely anticipate, & that they expect the same heavy clouds as ever before long to come over their horizon. Mr Cotman will have told you, I do not doubt, of the solid & encouraging basis upon which his present

Copies of extracts from letters (1) from Lady Palgrave (Elizabeth Turner) to Dawson Turner, 11 April 1834, and (2) from Mary Ann Turner to Dawson Turner, 4 April 1834