The Cotman Letters 1834

like that, it was so like going to spend the evening before breakfast.
At Morgan’s I was much delighted at hearing Harriet sing, “Deck not with gems” in imitation of me, I must say if I do sing it as well I sing it very well indeed. I was pleased too by the unexpectedness of it. twas almost startling the “Deck not..” coming base, oh so base from a thing so pretty, it was any thing but natural yet had a fine effect. we continued during the evening to sing like two nightingales and when I left it being a rainy night Morgan lent me his coat and umbrella.
Imagine now, me in his great coat!! Twas a shocking bad fit and from the enormous size of it had to be pinned round my body. That and the rum cut of it made me rather an odd figure you may be sure. It was kindly meant of the old fellow so I took it. I am not sure, but, think, when one offers a kindness you ought to accept it however difficult it may be. In truth I have found it to be more difficult to accept as many as I can (I mean the difficulty consists in accepting with a good grace) from proper persons.
I am glad to hear you are according to Dixon’s letter “Joyous” may you remain so. you will do then as much again. Bye the bye. What are you doing? I have heard little or nothing of or from you since you last left us. Just explain to us how you spend your time. What did you about the fines at the Rustic Acad[emy]? do you still draw there? In fact what do you?
I as I said I think in my last letter am just set down to work. I am about two old drawings, making them new, one a landscape, something like the one over our workroom mantle piece, only that the trees are agitated by