The Cotman Letters 1838-1864

169
[To Dawson Turner]
Aug 12. 1841. 42 Hunter St.
Brunswick Square

My dear Sir,
I have just received your curious, interesting & valuable Volume - “Illustrations
of Norfolk Topography”. A book most valuable & flattering to me as your
presentations, & welcome in every way. It is really, to me, an extra
delightful book, as it refreshes the very, oh very many recollections of
happy hours passed in your valuable society. To say how valuable your
friendship has been to me, ask me how long I have been known to you, & I
shall reply- 'An age'. For how long a time possessed any reputation, if
any? Pray answer it yourself. Ask me how long I have been connected with
Kings College, London, and I answer {crossed out – you} 'Seven Years'!!! And who am I to
thank for these advantages? Yourself. My dear Sir, and family. Thus placed, I
have your and my {added – own} honour to maintain & will take case to do so. In your
last note from Yarmouth you flattered me by saying you [ ] I did not
say more of myself. I will now say something - as it will give you
pleasure, I am sure, and you are entitled to all I can possibly say that will
give you {crossed out – interest} pleasure & information that can possibly interest so
valuable a friend.
My drawing class has even been an increasing one, Quarter by Quarter, & by far
the {added – very} largest in the College - even. But last quarter it amounted to 323 pupils!!!
- beginning with 150. The enclosed circulars will show you that I am enlisted
with the Engineering Dept. - just formed, but not in action at present. This
will add but little to my income, perhaps, but much to my Honour - & some
parts of your family - particularly Mr. Gunn, knows well my real feeling
on this point to doubt how I shall act upon it - to say nothing in this age of
competition of the importance of keeping the field to myself, where I can
do so with propriety & fairness to {added – all} {crossed out – myself } Your, & Sir Thos. Palgrave's advice
was “Get in, be quiet, & trust to what may follow”. I have listened,
recollected & profited by your advice in all things, save one - but much ad-
vantage to my Boys. For I could not do what I wanted, even at the
Museum - valuable as that magazine is. {crossed out – For} I now believe I could,
by better management have done {crossed out – it} {added – so} - but I was ignorant of it. With
all my faults, I have even glassed myself at your glass, however
far I may be from your fashion - the trust & sweet proof