The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

{Typed transcript}
I was sorry to find from your letter that Father and Alfred were poorly I did not doubt but that Father would be, but I hope things at the College are going on tolerably at least do inform me of this, poor Alfred; as you say, the plan you propose does seem to me the only probable plan of restoring him, the only way to recover a person who has lost self esteem or pride is to restore it by allowing him a portion of opinion on subjects and allowing him to form his own conclusions of matters or else he becomes a mere parrot to echo others’ sentiments, besides a man must get others to think high of him before he rises, now supposing a person has not those shining qualities required for this, then we must pretend that he has for the purpose of giving him confidence and in time he will have them. You will think the person who knows or pretends to know this ought to have done differently to what was done. I feel it, and if there was not one absorbing thing to lessen it I should feel it indeed. but what was I a person drawing out a miserabl[[y]]e existence. You write that you are soon going to London. When you return let me know all about things there. How Mr. Geldart is, how going on, and Arthur Dixon, Morgan’s and all friends &c. I have got a nasty cough if Arthur could send me a recipe I should feel obliged. I thank you for your hint about the writing and far from thinking you what you said will pay attention to it not that this is much better but tis a little. If you would take the old cloths you up to London with you they might come down when my guitar and other things come which will be immediately upon my being fully engaged, has Arthur seen Chamberlin about me? Tell me how your business goes on. you must stick to it (hold your tongue Walter) and think no small beer of it, for even here men of thirty are well paid if they can get 150 and work 12 hours in the day some have more four times this and more but I say this because I have heard you complain. excuse me. I had