The Cotman Letters 1834

[Crossed out in pencil:]
To Mrs J. S. Cotman
St Martin’s at Palace
Norwich

Jan: 1st 1834.

[Note in pencil:] redirected

To Dawson Turner Esq
Yarmouth

7 Old Burlington St

My dearest Wife & Children,
I take up my pen at this moment to say “a happy New Year to you”, many of them – and the last the happiest.” This day I have rested after a hearty fag and some little appearance of indisposition yesterday. It is now all gone off in consequence of being abstemious, and a long walk to Cox’s with Mr Bulwer. When I say abstemious, I took little for breakfast & fasted almost till I sat down to a most delicious joint of roast mutton, potatoes, etc. My mouth absolutely watered at it, a good sign of returning appetite, which Mr Bulwer fully explained to me. He is a curious and most clever man, full of information of a good sort and most willing to instruct others, and most especially those he takes a fancy to. On Monday evening I took supper with Sir Frank Palgrave, on purpose to see my old pupil, Gurney Turner. On my word he has grown a fine fellow, six feet without his shoes. He is really, I think, a very fine fellow, very handsome, full of good temper and just what I thought he would be. He behaved most kindly to me – a thing not always to be found or calculated upon by Masters from Pupils. He spoke of Mr Langton and Mr Edwards in a way of respect & attachment. Edwards I saw yesterday. He is full of spirits, but, I thought, aged much since his accident. Sir F. Palgrave dines to-day with Sir Rob[er]t Inglis. I breakfast with them tomorrow to hear the result. Friday week is the first meeting of the Council of King’s College. Whether I stop over that time is at this moment doubtful; rather so as I can take up a Drawing or two here for Mr Bulwer. But I am getting on too far & too fast – for my only reason for saying a word to you now is, as before said, to thank you for your letter, John, which is tinged with melancholy, I am sorry to feel. And to wish you a happy New Year. Keep up your spirits and trust to that Providence & God who rules over all our actions, and to our hard-working,