The Cotman Letters 1838-1864

101

look around for some spirit congenial with your own
through up your cap and begin the world again and of
this I am sure however much rusted and worn that
Life's in the old Dog yet.

Tuesday Decmr. 18 1838.
Tis odd to begin thus at the end of the year but I
am inpatient to begin knowing that I shall enjoy it much
I shall always now have a friend to talk with when I have
leisure and shall so I trust divert my loneliness and have
much to talk about now but are in doubt whether it will
do to let other people talk here as well as myself. I will
leave this to chance but if I find any thing that is
quite beautiful in any ther persons mouth or handwriting
I own it must go.
My tea for me
I think is waiting
And I in truth would let it

                             And so will go and get it.

I think this notion of life is from Spencer- What is this
world?- A dream within a dream as we grow older
each step is an awakening. The youth awakes, as he
thinks, from childhood the full-grown man depises
the pursuits of youth as visionary _ the old man looks on
manhood as a feverish dream. The grave the last sleep? No,
it is the last and final awakening.

O. Love, why hast thou given no certain proof
To know adulterate gold, but stamp'd no mark
Where it is needed most, on man's base metal.
Medea-Euripedes.
I have strange quakes and fears that this is undertaken
in very idleness but I trust not, and if it affords enjoyment