The Cotman Letters 1834

St. Martin’s at Palace
April 28th /34.

My dear Jack /
That you may not have the opportunity of calling me a bad, or at least an unpleasant correspondent, I sit me down to tell you all our doings! nothings!! Nothings they are, and I almost think uninteresting to you, yet such they must be as there is nothing doing – more than usual. morning – noon – and night – chalk and paper – chalk and paper. Not but that it is varied now and then – or by the powers I would rather be out of the world at once. How easily we are led away!! I had intended the first thing in this letter should be about something that would remind you agreeably of the pleasures of Norwich, and should certainly commence on a fresh sheet did it not interfere with the plan I have laid down of writing what comes uppermost, at once, and without alteration. Well – after this prelude, what do you think I have done? how do you think I find the variety I talked of? why by walking. and, (oh now what?) rowing – today has been made my first attempt at the latter. I have sculled the Cecilia to Thorpe!!! such a fine afternoon (½ past 4) such beautiful clouds. Took tea with Geldart and walked back, to the Academy by ½ past 7, and am just returned after drawing the profile of the Gladiator – having had a hard battle about which was best conte, Italian chalk with Hodgson and Barwell and talking until it was determined to have a Rustic for the next evening. I am to find one, a task, harder I fear than it appears, and I suspect put on me, that I may not press so hard for one in future. If so, they do not know me, I will try to shew them what they ought to have, and that I can find one. In fact John I think we