Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/5
Page: 137
Description
Letter of John Sell Cotman to James Bulwin, 30 August 1839
Date:
Transcription
To/ 137
The Rev: 42 Hunter St.
J. Bulwin. Aug 30: 1839. Brunswick Sq.
My dear Friend,
The many happy hours I have sat spent in your
company & the deep obligations I must ever have for your
many, many, kindnesses heaped upon my head, makes me
feel now I am wide awake, most anxious for your welfare &
health, my dear friend. I have made many enquiries after you,
but can hear nothing of you. That busy devil, imagination,
paints you ill. Contradict it: if you cannot, only say that
the person you have served - and that's me - can be of any
comfort to you. Why I will come down to Aylsham & chip you up, as
you so often Chipped me up, to shavings. But, mark me, my dear
friend, if you are not ill, I cannot come down, for I want the blanket
again _ for I am hard at it, painting away like mad - and
will not come down for any Bulwin, well - but Bulwin ill, is quite
another matter.
I wish you to know Revd. John Gunn. He is an unaffected creature, rows
well, and will take you to most delightful spots about the Broads (Lakes) of
Norfolk. You may trust to his [ ] too, now, for he has had another
streak put into him, which renders it safe!!!!! In his Lady you will find
one of my oldest Friends & Pupils. My best, double best, regards to your
Boys, whom I treated ill - from being ill myself.
Thank the Thames, Medway, fresh air, walking, running for the
rodomontade - to say nothing of Hair Gloves as a [ ] to rub
off the putty. Yours affectionately , J. S. Cotman.
This is a poaching shot, but as the distance is long it will be a
point of law to make it legal - though it hits you on the 1st of September.
This is a through-paced wet day - drenching. I found it out in
bed last night by getting up stiff with Rheumatism.
Summer we have had not, and the dog days over without
a proclamation with the Lord Mayor - or even one
dog day. Invalids must find out a new world - this
one won't do. J. S. C.
I saw a brace of shot birds in hand yesterday - begins
early, methinks.