The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

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said he had a fine picture by that Master, And so, And so put me on the rack that I wished him almost at the Devil and stamped about the shop like a cat in walnuts not knowing what to do for anxiety, and I could have almost sworn he had actually laid down his half crown to pay for it, when oh again my lucky stars, he walked out a mean fellow, - and said Well I can’t take it now – and left it – for me to say I will take it for two shillings, and I took it and have it, tis beautiful, I had no idea Murillio finished so highly. I had made up my mind to say had the Gentleman (who has a large fortune) taken it that I was an Artist and was painting a picture very like it, and to request him when he had seen it for a day or two, to lend it to me for a day or two, and I have no doubt but he wd have done so, - But he much more, fortunately for me, Saved me the trouble of asking for it by leaving it behind him for me to take -- When I have done with it I will lend it to you and Geldart, who is as you are I believe very fond of Murillio, it is one of a broken up copy of the famous Munich Gallery, a very expensive Book -- and perhaps never to be met with again -- it is lithographed on colored paper the high lights left white, it is on a large size and very beautiful, the subject two boys (not unlike the picture at Dulwich), one eating a Melon, the other with his head thrown back eating a fine bunch of grapes, his eyes turn on the Melon eater most archly and deliciously, tis uncommonly fine. The gentleman was a simpletonian and most remarkably unlike me – don’t you think so now, John? And to lose such a Gem for a paltry half crown, possessing too as he said a fine picture by the Master, Oh Shame and fie on him for a downright dolt, dolt as he be, I thank him for foolishness, hugely. I called at the shop a few days afterwards to be gratified by his hearing that he had called for it, -- but no, he had not, and I was vexed and provoked