The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

{typed transcript}
Commons was there, tell Mr. Geldart it was most remarkable to see how very different the character of head was from that of the painter. here it was all large, with one exception, so much so that Edmund could not but see the enormous difference, it was all in favour of Architects. They had all a more masculine and grand character than the painter. – And I believe the study of Architecture requires it, calculation must come into their account. And mere painters if they need it not may fairly (half of them at least) may be said to be without it -- they were all Inigo Jones and Geldarts

{pencil sketch of head with large forehead}

the upper half the largest, the exception was thus

{pencil sketch of head with small forehead}

and he does not rank well as an Architect, it was a position of extraordinary difference, and the effect of Mass singularly fine. Wilkins’ was not there, but he also has a very large upper head. I shall attend if I can the next meeting at their own Rooms, they have a fine Library and I believe the Society takes a much higher stand than the Conversazione of Painters. I have added most wonderfully to my library, very very fine and most rare Volumes and most useful to me -- and also very cheap. When Ann visits Norwich you had better come for her, I will pay your expenses and it will give you a Week with us, you can get if you have it not a Week’s holiday at Easter. I have written to Mrs. Roe for my plaster Dog -- I value it, so bring it up, you can pack it up carefully in your portmanteau, or a box you may borrow of your Uncle Edmund. I send you down a quire of this paper, for you to write only to me upon. The other day I went into a shop to buy a trifle of two and whilst there a gentleman came in and said “Pray is that a print after Murillio in your window? pray let me look at it,” so down it came, and oh when I saw it, I curst my stars for not having seen it before him, for it was just what I wanted for my Italian Boys. There he was rattling his shillings in his pocket and looking and looking at it and