The Cotman Letters 1834

To Dawson Turner Esq
G[rea]t Yarmouth.
Norfolk.
Feb 25, 1834.
27 Charlotte St
Bloomsbury

My dear Sir,
Here I am, very comfortably situated in the House of Mr W. B. Cooke, the Engraver, and brother to my most intimate & kindhearted and talented friend, George Cooke – who is, I am sorry to add, but just recovering from a brain fever, and it is questioned if he will ever be the man of intellect he was!!! What things we are. Hope we, or dare we, boast of a moment either of weal or woe? We are only certain of what is past! For myself, I have been so deeply engaged that a week is but as a day. Once, alas! a day to me was a long & painful month, a year an eternity. My prospects from 50 pupils now are actually realized to 185. My actual income is therefore £85 beyond my yearly salary of 100. Should I have but 1 pupil that salary is always to remain the same. This is my net income. The profits upon paper & pencils will of course be considerable, even upon the easy terms I shall serve my Pupils.
On Saturday a fresh batch of 15 (that makes up the 185) brought me by the second master gave me the handsomest Boy I ever saw in my life. My astonishment got the better of good breeding, for I exclaimed – “Good God, let me view that Boy before I speak to you, Sir.” He was then in front. He turned accidentally his profile, and again, Good God, what a Head it told. The Master was as delighted as I was. He is scarcely human – so exquisit[e]ly beautiful – and, strange to say, scarcely masculine – a perfect Raphael. Of course he is mine for a study or two, or two & twenty studies. My classes of about 50 each I have taught more collectedly than I have taught six. I feel quite up to the point, and I am really astonished at myself when a noise like the rushing of mighty water is hushed by a sentence – “Gentlemen, I cannot go on thus, you must be silent or I must leave the room”. It is electrical(?)[.] My mode of teaching shall be, if possible, to gain the Love, the Respect of my pupils. My pupils have, & shall be my best friends, if possible. It is not & it has not been for the moment that I have worked, but for a future. I will work for myself & for my Family.