The Cotman Letters 1834
Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/3
Page: 49
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Description
Copy of letter from Miles Edmund Cotman to John Joseph Cotman, 14 February 1834
Miles Edmund contrasts his and John Joseph's work as teachers in Norwich and London. Responses to a letter from John Joseph. A drawing by Geldart. John Joseph has sent a drawing of a boy in rags, which both Miles Edmund and Geldart claim to disapprove of. Miles Edmund is working for Mrs Chapman. Arthur Dixon has joined his class. John Joseph has visited [George] Cooke. John Joseph has advised him to make sketches from old pictures. Miles Edmund spent an evening with Lound, Geldart and Dixon.
Date: 1834
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Transcription
St. Martins at Palace.
Feb.14. 1834.
Valentines Day.My dear brother John
You have convinced me that your plan of writing a little each night is a good one by the number we have had from you, and I intend to follow the same plan in future – that is if I find I have any news to tell you – if not it is I think just as well to write only when I have something to tell you or whenever I can find a free conveyance. I promise you I will do this and make now a beginning by taking a large sheet like your own.
As for Teaching I think indeed you are in most excellent training, tis different though from mine, yours must be done in bustle and noise, mine, here, quietly and comfortably. You will feel quite strange in the change, the Material to work on is so different, nothing like Ladies they are the things to teach, soft, ductile creatures!! I am sure you must prefer it. I find you are engaged on the same days I am, on Wednesday I shall be engaged from ten till five, on Saturday as usual by the Miss Wrights – by the bye I have but two.
With this fresh page I shall change my plan place your letter by my side and touch upon the points I find there – and as they follow. First, I am very glad to find Father has two senior pupils. I have not yet drawn from the figure though I allow there is nothing like it. Geldart is before me here he has attended the academy has made an outline from the life a lady, it is a capital outline and I think must be well shadowed. The boy you sent me I did not like, his head and cap was the only good part about him his clothes were too ragged. Tis not rags, I, or
