The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

{handwritten note}

written in brown red ink such as he was using at this time to emphasise his drawings.

{typed transcript}

Addressed to Mr. John Joseph Cotman.

42 Hunter Street. Brunswick Sq.
Nov. 13. 1835

My dear John
Last Saturday I wrote to you to state I had not read your letter mentioned to me by Henry as being sent off - or the Tub as being sent off by you. They are still to be received neither the one or the other "having come to hand" to use as Walter will use "the Mercantile phrase". Give my love to Walter and my thanks for his very good letter both as to sense and writing, it had in both more of the Manly character than I have before noticed in his productions of the same line. He has only to proceed the same way to lead to a good style in both - viz. a good hand and a good Letter, common sense, and a clear statement of facts in a plain unvarnish tale is the very essense of good Letter Writing, avoid a flowery style as you would wish to be a merchant, for a flowery style is death, damnation and the devil in Letter writing, if you don't believe me ask in the Lane John, if you can't frank your letter write by Post instructor, for we are under some alarm for you the lapse of time since we heard from you has been so great, do not forget this John if you are above board if not I won't trouble you, anything is better than suspense.
We had a large party the other Eveng, which went off excellently well. We threw open both rooms, plenty of cocoa nut light, and two lamps, for I have bought another like my tall one for Teddy's use for we are all drawing mad, viz. Teddy, who is full of orders viz. I have ordered a dozen Drawings of him small ones wishing them to be dashing, and Sketch like to get him out of his hard dry and damn bad manner. He has executed three and more, them to my