The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

{Typed transcript}
By Mr. Leak who reced her and us very kindly when we called in our carriage. Mrs. Evans the married daughter is plump, pretty, good tempered and Witty, or I don’t know her. – She soon shewed a disposition to enter into my rattle and I soon gave her the hoppertunity. 1.2.3 and 4 have been our hours lately. Unavoidably so, for not a stone must be left unturned to get the place and then We shall say ‘the King is no relation to us’, Jack. Mr. Leak is a shrewd, clever little fellow, very different to what Mr. Jno Hicks represented him to be. He talked to Kitty of the beauty of her Father. And spoke of him as, his old and valued crony. I think he intends to invite I. I wish he may, our Horses will Match or I am again mistaken, he has seen the world and knows it, and can appreciate old friends, and good new acquaintances
Yours with Love Ever
J. S. Cotman.

Decr 12. 1836
Monday Nt.
past [[12]]2 o’Clock and Cloudy Morning.

Tell our most excellent boon Companion the Gentleman on the Grey Horse “Mr. Indicative Mood” that I have got something for his Ass (this word I believe is spelt wrong but I wont alter it to spoil the appearance of this Love Letter) with directions how his Ass is to be managed. And if so managed I sincerely hope and believe he will find his Ass will go wonderfully well. I learn here it was his intentions to have come up this Xm ass. And all were astonished, disappointed, at my bringing word to the contrary. This can be easily amended by a little alteration in his next account, by stating he will give us the pleasure of his balance in our scale of events at Xmas. John, do you see to this, and take his place – per Mail, he will find it the easiest mode travelling possible, even our dear