The Cotman Letters 1834

To Dawson Turner Esq.
Jan 30, 1834
[note added in pencil:] [Norwich]

My dear Sir,
As I have another opportunity of writing to you free, I will get rid at once of a perhaps silly subject and trouble you no more with my dreaming fancies.
My often told dream* terminated with the success of myself and family and the downfall (in plain English) of the family of Crome. There is at this moment a fearful appearance of its being verified to the letter, for my prospects are to all appearance blooming and fresh, and – I deeply regret to say – on the other side the prospects of the Cromes are blighted and unsuccessful. Frederic died wretchedly, Miss Crome is about to leave Norwich in debt, William has left Norwich, for no one to know where, in wretchedness and, I am afraid, insane! – and so considered by his family. My son, Edmund, the last time he saw him spent an evening with him at his lodgings in Bethel St – where Dr Lubbock lives. W. Crome very soon fell fast asleep. Upon his waking he stared wildly around, fixed his eye full upon him & said, “Who are you? I don’t know you, Sir,” and, with much abuse, said, “I will throw you, you scoundrel, out of the window.” Edmund immediately threw all the liquid into the ash-heap, defended himself, left him, called for his cloak and sent the servant up to him. The next morning Edmund called to inquire how he did, and was told, ‘quite well’ & gone out to see his Mother. He has not since been seen or heard of.
Everything is to be feared for Mr C— as far as pecuniary matters. He has spent two evenings with me in considerable low spirits. And sad tales are afloat here about him. I most sincerely & deeply regret it, for I have ever found him a man strict to his honour and a man to be depended on. May God, in his extremity, be to him what he has been to me and mine – merciful and kind. For “Men’s extremity is God’s opportunity” – may this be verified to him. Your