The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

{Typed transcript with some handwriting}
now only wants touching up. We had a cheerful letter from Walter, and a good account of him from Stark who saw him he describes him as getting fat. R. Dixon Also saw him, and quite stunned him to use his own words by the surprise. - - - Ann wrote to Kitty Hicks an invitation for here and she may, trouble you to pack her off perhaps. – if so let it be by Telegraph. Your letter tells us you don’t mean to stop with us at Xmas, if so, My dear Boy, much as I should wish to see you - - I can hardly think it worth your while to come up for a day or two, therefore I shall not recommend it, as it will cut into your holidays without a corresponding Benefit, this you are to consider a kindness not a rebuff. But if the Institution is opened with some fine pictures you shall be made acquainted and you then may come up to an advantage. Is Mr. Geldart returned from his tours? I go to bed very regularly between 11 and 12, therefore you must excuse this hasty scrawl. Now, do you like your present arrangement at home? Yours my dear John affectionately
J.S. Cotman.

I leave the remaining blank to be filled up by those who will (paper torn) well and goes on Drawing very nicely, better than (paper torn). The College is fitting up for us a Room opposite the one we (paper torn) had all along - - a very nice one, larger, but not so light as the other. Now if this is to be entirely to ourselves, I shall hang a few diagrams on light and shade, &c. on its walls. - - The three large pencil Drawings are framed in plain deal, and are up in the College Room and have attracted much attention.
Love to all and kind remembrances to Brother Edmund – tell him to come up with Kitty.