The Cotman Letters 1834

the Library Department – but here as everywhere, Sir Francis will help me.
Pray remember me most kindly to the Revd Mr Gunn, Rev. J. Gunn & Mrs Gunn and, if possible, say I will drive over & dine with them – merely to show my round, happy face. Good God! What a change! Am I right when I said, “give me but a fair chance of happiness for my family, and my friends shall see that my malady & melancholy is not constitutional.” I promise myself to get up a Set of Lectures. The Rev. Mr Bulwer has promised to help me. Other Friends will, I know, assist me too. Now you will say I am stark mad – gone past all recovery.
I was to have gone to see the unrolling of the Mummy, Horiesi, son of Naspituinegori, incense-bearing Priest in the Temple of Ammon at Thebes. More than 500 persons were turned from the door, and yet I had a ticket and could not go, as my interview with the Principal interfered. Mr Cox & Mr Bulwer had the seats before the president – so much for a good introduction, well backed. His name & titles were on every separate piece of linen. He was of the highest order of Mummies, and of the first rank. Gurney took wine with Mr Bulwer yesterday after the unrolling, and spoke learnedly & well upon the subject. He interested the party by his remarks & gained complete attention & golden opinions. Mr Bulwer likes him very much and has given him a general invitation. Gurney likes Mr Bulwer exceedingly.
Friday, Jan: 18.
My Boys. I shall order this day a trifle for your good Friend, Dixon, which I shall present to him as a mark of my estimation of his kindness & friendship towards you. I will see if I can’t think of a little something that will suit your Friend, J. Geldart, also. You may take this bit of scrawl to my Father, & into London St, and read them to all concerned in your welfare. I have not my Nephew’s address. At his leisure and on Sundays he shall always find a knife & fork at my table, and a Friend when he faces me. So tell him, when