The Cotman Letters 1834

table and removed all the Casts – a harder days work than on Sunday. I have also removed from our room upstairs the table on which stood the Lugger, to hold the folios of drawings for pupils. Am tired but as Lound leaves here tomorrow I will finish this for you. That I may do so I am writing before washing or dressing – so you may have a scrubby letter but there (as a Lady said “better talk nonsense than not talk at all”) I suppose it is the same with writing. Tell Father he must not give away Carlo no! no!!
Notwithstanding Miss Rigby’s letter I quite hope to have the first refusal and shall be really vexed if he gives the poor dog away. I must now finish. I mean leave off for the present to wash. I am going to Dixon’s for Tea and French I will finish there – ½ past 5 – I have done French, Geldart is gone to the Academy and Dixon is waiting till I have done to walk with me to Lound’s. Tell Father I shall send the Table, not by waggon, but by shipping: I am advised to do this by all my friends here they tell me it will be much cheaper – less than ½ - and I can send them whole. That also will save expense. Mr. Geldart who is made by Father overseer approves, advises the plan. They shall be carefully packed up with matts ordered to be kept as dry as possible.
The ship sails from here on Thursday. I know not when it arrives in London but it goes as high up I believe as London Bridge. I will tell you exactly in my next where it stops. I shall direct them to be left at the wharf till you see them that you may remove th[e]m to their destination at your own time and leasure [sic].
Your affection[ate] Brother
Miles Edmund Cotman.
Feb.17 /34.
Mr. Dixon is writing upon your drawers, poor man! not having a sheet of paper.