The Cotman Collection | 105

The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/4
Page: p 197 recto


  • Description

    Letter from J. S. Cotman to J. J. Cotman concerning his health and convalescence.

    Typed transcript

    Date: Feb 1837

  • Transcription

    {typed transcript}
    Addressed to Mr.J.J. Cotman.

    42 Hunter Street
    Brunswick Square
    Feby - - - - - - - - - - - 1837.

    My dearest John
    I read your quiet, and very sensible, and affectionate Letter of the 6th inst With very great pleasure, As it shewed me at once that you are decidedly better than when you left us, as it speaks a coolness of conduct that, pardon me expressing it to you, could be scarcely be said When you were amongst us a few weeks since. You were then too much excited, too much My love to be considered by your Kindest Friends, in a sound state of health. These Kindest of Friends, for so they are to you and so they ever must be considered by you. – You must consider your Kindest Friends for ever. They have thought proper to place you where you now are, for your good alone, Nothing else has been thought of by them. Your good has been their only aim and your quiet, that is to say, For you to be kept quiet is the only chance for your being ultimately and completely well, do, my dear Son, rest content[[ed]] with their conduct for but a very, very short time. for you say Mrs. Watson has been a kind and Second Mother to you. And I doubt not the result - - It will end the sooner, by your rejoining us all in perfect health. Which is all our most sincere hopes. Never fear your Officers in the Schools, they are compared with your entire re-establishment to health but as nothing. – But even here you are forestalled, for that has been well considered for you by your kind Friends and one and all have joined in but one cry that they (the Schools) shall be every way kept for you, you have their entire respect and confidence. Keep quiet, and contented but for a very short time, for you say that Mrs. Watson is most kind to you, it

Letter from J. S. Cotman to J. J. Cotman concerning his health and convalescence.