Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/5
Page: 147
Description
Letter of John Sell Cotman to F. Walter Cotman, 12 September 1839
Date:
Transcription
(Sept 12. 1839.)
(5) 147
Such a day as it has been. I called on Col: Cockburn. He was out,
but my Flora danced downstairs & would have me in, dogs &
all. 'You will stop to dinner with us? Papa will be so angry
if you do not, for there is a gentleman in the drawing room who
was his companion in Canada, & he will be so sorry not to see you'.
Alfred was with me, and I was forced to decline. We chatted
about her dear Charley (the Pretender) & promised to dine {crossed out – with} {added – there}
tomorrow. She is, by God, a rare ? ? ? & Flora MacIvor -
and I told him so!!! She is a lass that blemished
warriors - or anything she pleased, I am afraid, for
she has talent, spirit & modesty to the greatest perfection, &
so devoted to the memory of her Charlie - 'tis quite
funny & most romantic. But no wonder, one of her
ancestors died in his defence. Ann might have been as
fine a lass & finer, with the same culture - but that, &
what's more, the ambition to be such. This I regret,
knowing her powers, if properly directed & not suffered to
humdrum over a pair of damned stockings - the curse
of women.
J. S. Cotman.