The Cotman Letters 1834

Addressed to J.S.Cotman Esqr.
St. Martins at Palace
Feb[ruar]y 6. 1834.

My dear Father
I have given my first lesson – have broken the ice and find a warmer reception than I was prepared for – much warmer. I quite expected the Governesses to be civil. They were really more than that, they were quite kind Mrs Beckwith particularly. She regretted she had not more pupils for me but told me to expect more at the half quarter – Miss Dix the same.
Miss Beckwith does not learn, she is going to make drawings from the Border Antiquities in which I told her I should be most happy to assist her should she find any great difficulty – I think I did as it gave Mrs Beckwith pleasure.
I called on Mrs Chapman also quite expecting she had determined on having me as a drawing master. Here I had reckoned without my host she had come to no such determination, but made this proposition. First though I must tell you she has one pupil who will not learn of a Cotman either Father or Son, one who is a staunch admirer of Crome’s style and cannot endure ours. This being the case Mrs Chapman wished to know if I had any objection to teach all those pupils she had controul over and allow Crome to teach those who chose to be so taught. What do you think? is that a plan you would have agreed to had you been here? I left it to be decided by you, as having had more experience in such matters and should like to have your answer by the half quarter the time I am to attend if I attend at all.