The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

{typed transcript}
you have received the parcel alluded too I trust you have done as I asked you with respect to shewing them to Uncle Edmund and then taking them and sealing them up and putting them in your Escurtoire till an opportunity offers of returning them to me in Safety. The reason I ask who knows of the improvements is because I am a Chess Player and calculate the chances of A. telling B. Does any one else in the Cotman Family know of it but Edmund or any one else but Arthur Dixon and Mr. Geldart and even if they do not know it I should like it all the better not because of trust worthiness but because things sometimes come out by accident. Tell me all this by return of Post. I am sorry yet glad to say I am about loosing the best friend I have in London and to whom I have certainly looked upon as the only person who exerted himself in trying to get me a situation, namely Mr. J. Dixon Who I have no doubt is going to Ireland this you know doubtless through Arthur. I laughed and said perhaps he could find something there for me he said he should like to do so and would try but that is far from probable. But you know John if my Scheme answers I shall not Want one. Write as I said John. O have you asked Uncle Edmund. Send me word his answer remember I do not ask as a favour of him.
You ought to have acknowledged the receipt of the parcel. But I know how you delay so am not quite in despair about you not having received it but I am anxious and wish to know for certain. Send by return of Post an Answer to the letter in the Parcel alluded too and to this Letter. We are quite well except Poor little Ally who is far from it. Have you asked H. Morgan what I asked you. I cannot get any more in so must take leave of you for a time. Believe me to remain
Your affectionate Brother
F. W. Cotman.
I have seen thousands of Lamps and have looked over all the