The Cotman Collection | 23

The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/4
Page: p 39 recto


  • Description

    Letter from Anne Cotman to her brother John Joseph Cotman on her return to London. Edmund is ill but her father is better and painting again.

    typed transcript of letter

    Date: 22 Sep ?1835

  • Transcription

    {handwritten}
    (about '35 (?) [?J.R])

    {typed transcript}
    Addressed to Mr. J. J. Cotman,
    Norwich
    Favoured.

    London September 22nd

    Dear John
    To my great surprise who should come to see us last evening but Robert Dixon who from what you had said I fully expected was on his way to Dublin, we soon however found our mistake by his appearance, he told us that he did not quite know when he was going to start for Dublin, but that he should be in Norwich next Sunday, when he offered to be the bearer of any letters I might have to send, I shall therefore trouble him with a line to you, who I fear before this had expected one from me. I reached home very comfortably and found all well but Edmund who is very poorly, Papa and Alfred were at the Coach to meet me, and I think I may venture to say all were glad to see me once more in London again, and I know not why, whether it arises from my being better in health but I entered London much happier than I did on my first coming up. Papa began to be better a few days before I came up and has now been hard at work painting and so I am hope he will do again for a little time longer. To-day he has set me to work again at tracing which part of drawing although I like least as it will benefit him I will do it and say nought about it, I think dear John it is here where we have been one and all of us wrong we have not paid sufficient respect to Papa's wishes, he has undoubtedly been wrong in many instances but still as our Parent it is our duty to obey him and to endeavour to put up with his temper as much as we can, for he has had many things to try him, at any rate I will endeavour to do so more than I have done, should it not succeed with respect to making Papa more comfortable, I shall at least have the pleasure of knowing that I have

Letter from Anne Cotman to her brother John Joseph Cotman on her return to London. Edmund is ill but her father is better and painting again.