The Cotman Letters 1834
Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/3
Page: 209
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Description
Copy of letter from Miles Edmund Cotman to John Joseph Cotman, 2 November 1834
Lack of letters from John Joseph, which also concerns Arthur Dixon and Joseph Geldart. Depictions of the Houses of Parliament fire. JJC’s lithographs are to be published before those of MEC. Muskett [Charles Muskett, bookseller and photographer of Norwich] wishes MEC to draw two Norwich views. Muskett is displeased with [David] Hodgson’s depiction of Norwich Castle and has asked [Henry] Ninham to make one. MEC criticizes Hodgson’s Castle. When JJC returns to Norwich, he can live in the house in Newmarket Road for three months before taking lodgings. Perhaps Geldart would live there with him. Geldart is at present lodging with Dixon.
Date: 02/11/1834
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Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Jhn. Jos. Cotman,
43, Gerrard Street,
Soho.No. 3 Terrace
Newmarket Road
Nov[embe]r 2nd 1834.My dearest Brother Jack,
I do not think you a very good brother, you keep all your doings so much to yourself, you do not tell me what you have done or are doing. Now that is I think decidedly wicked and malicious, here you have been making drawings to be published and are as much as a brown herring on the subject. What is the cause Mr. Jack are you so busy as not to be able to spin us a yarn. Avast there!! I have it, there is one coming by Susan, ah well, so much the better, I shall hear about you on Tuesday. Now you will receive this about the same day so where is the use of my saying when I shall have one from you? had it been sooner, you might have taken the hint and have sent me one by Susan.
Now I think of it John, you are several letters behind, and tis time you should clear off old scores, so set about it at once – for between you and I A. D. [Dixon] and J. G. [Geldart] are wondering what you may be about. (Miss Syder is just called in for Ann to go to chapel. They are gone and I am at it again). The fire [note in margin: Houses of Parliament burnt 16. Oct.] I expect must have been a grand sight. from the river very grand and you must have been vexed you did not know of it. There are two Lithog[raph] Views here: one from the river and one from the land. On the land one there is a Mounted soldier I suppose in the centre and some tapestry in the foreground. Are they yours? I think not though. You are in print now before me, my Norwich views are not yet out. I have to make two for Muskett, one, a general
