The Cotman Collection | 58

The Cotman Letters 1834

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/3
Page: 95


  • Description

    Copy of letter from Ann Cotman to John Joseph Cotman, March 1834

    Ann hopes that John Joseph will visit Norwich at Easter [30 March]. Prospects of life in London. Ann wants John Joseph’s opinion on her drawing. She will make him a cap. She will send corrections to the spelling of his letter.

    Date: 03/1834

  • Transcription

    [in pencil:] [March 1834]

    My dear John
    It is past twelve o’clock, you will say very late indeed to begin writing but my brother has told me that he is going to send a parcel to-morrow and has been writing to you this morning for that purpose. I fancied you might take it amiss did I not send you a line, which I should be exceedingly sorry that you should[,] therefore took this opportunity, late as it is, of writing. I thank you my dear John for your letter and most happy shall I be in sending you one in return, when my time will not be so occupied. You expressed a great desire in your letter to be down at Easter, you cannot I am sure wish that more than I do, the addition of your company at our breakfast table on the Thursday would be very delightful but we must be contented, Johnny, for a little time with holding up a correspondence with pen, ink, and paper, which is one of my most delightful of occupations although you would scarcely credit it, not having heard from me for some time, but it is for all that. I was very glad indeed to hear that you were working very hard for by that means and that only, can you ever expect to arrive at perfection in your profession.
    I do not doubt in the least our liking London but it is not the place John, it is the prospect of gaining a comfortable living, which will make it delightful and I think from your letter you do not see any fear of that. I was very sorry to hear our kind friend Mr. Bulwer has been so ill I hope soon to have a better account of him. I am very glad to find that Mr. Otter* is still such a favourite as I think it will be the means of your attending your chapel, with pleasure I reckon much of hearing him. Why how came you to forget sending me word about my drawing John, tell me candidly was it not so good as you had expected after

    [Note in pencil in margin:] W[illia]m Otter, 1768-1840, appointed 1830, first principal of London Univ[ersity], made B[isho]p of Chichester 1836.

Copy of letter from Ann Cotman to John Joseph Cotman, March 1834