The Cotman Letters 1834

Your interest has been considered. As regards Harriott, he has proferred me a sketch to face his autograph. Mr Bulwer gladly accepts your offer of illustration for illustration – as you mentioned to me.
Last night I had a party of twelve – the two Lewis’s, Cattermole, Harding, Cox, Harriott, Bulwer, Maw – the last, amateur – Starke, Cooke, Son(?) – What a sphere to move in! Such exalted talent! – Roberts. The first & last have folio upon folio from Spain. The first in particular. His sketches are wonderful. These folios are open to me & my son at all times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are to us more than the Regalia of all England!!!!!! An entire new light has burst upon me: I have not time to avail myself of it, this exhibition. I shall therefore only exhibit one small drawing – a mere card of admission to present my being turned out of “our” Society of Watercolours. But this is Charlatanry. I have nothing that I can expect money from to make it worth my while to sacrifice my reputation for. And next year I will risk something, with the good assistance of my God, for I have felt that without his blessings nothing – even such a nothing as a mere Drawing – can be made. Sir, I trust that I am a better man than I ever was and much, and oh a much, happier one.
Mr. Bulwer will teach me to read the Bible, and other matters relating thereto, properly. My dear Sir, I am surrounded by good & excellent friends and I should esteem myself the worst of fools to do anything against this advice. With such a feeling, my first and firm friend, do not be uneasy for me. I shall lay myself open to such. Let them but ask me any question and I will answer truly. My mind shall be unfettered by falsehood.
You will be pleased to learn I stand highest with the high of my Brother artists. And you will also not be astonished or displeased to learn that there are but a