The Cotman Letters 1834

inform me, how! for I should wish to do so, as feel little risk will be run in granting such a favour and accommodation. My only security is my insurance, which I am willing to pledge and to keep up till that sum is repaid. You also said you could lay you hand upon my will, which you were diverted from – in the act of giving me – from some other thing taking up your attention.
My son John & myself will leave Norwich on Saturday morning or evening. John will have all the advantages of a London season for work, and to see, and he will probably not be the Boy I take him for, should he miss the glorious opportunity so happily offered to him.
On Saturday the full body of our decomposed Society met at my house for the last time. I deeply regret to find Mr C— [* note added in pencil: Crome] fairly hinted it was a lost game to him, I deeply, deeply feel for him, for he is the best of the family, highly honourable and hard working as he is – for I know it to be so. But a short time back he travelled with his Horse & gig and man servant 70 miles for but three pupils – and now he fears it will be less. If so, that very extraordinary dream of mine is most frightfully verified to its conclusion.
You must get the Rev[eren]d Daniel’s Etchings, Some of them are as finely executed as Rembrandt’s, perfectly true. Miss Brightwell’s copy of Rembrandt’s Mill is also most astonishingly etched and more like Rembrandt than anything I have ever seen. Get this too. Your Norfolk Collection of Norfolk worthies cannot be complete without it. Mr Lound, the principal Clerk at Thompson’s Brewery, and Mr Ninham have also, each, about 20 or 30 etchings.
Mrs C wishes so much for all my letters on this interesting subject to her that I cannot but beg you to send them. They shall be copied & returned to you (with others which she disobeyed orders in not sending to you) should you really wish to possess them – as I do not intend to refuse you