The Cotman Letters 1838-1864

171
(12. 8. '41)
(2)

I can render you my service & long standing respect for your sound judgement.
In my Family I am happy, but with one exception - & that is a fearful one - for Alfred,
my youngest, now above twenty-one, has been for a long time, & is still, insane.
Walter, who is at Manchester in a warehouse, is so much respected {crossed out – by} that his master,
at Xmas, offered him £3000 worth of goods for him to set up in Glasgow, without any
security but his integrity. After much consultation with him I advised him to
decline, well knowing his nervous system could not stand the anxiety & respons-
ibility. I have since thought I was wrong. For the master must have well known
what he was about, & if difficulties occurred, would not have harassed him
for a trifle. His career is extraordinary. He entered the largest house in Manchester
at once - an ignorant young man - (Potter & Norris House.) Mr. Potter
asked him his name, knew my situation, asked him, of course, where he
had served - 'No where' - 'Then what can you do?' - 'Anything' - And
at once, much to Mr. Potter's astonishment, no doubt, took off his coat,
gently pushed a servant {crossed out – away} aside from a large package & began cording it
up. Mr. Potter kindly invited him to dinner, and he left-a sevant
in his Establishment. And all this without even an introduction!! He told
Mr. P. he was determined to be a merchant ( a large word, perhaps, but it
was said in zeal) and that he was determined to work his way up. What will
not ignorance, courage, & integrity effect! For, had he known more, he
must have been alarmed at his temerity. My sons all possess the highest
integrity, & I never heard a lie from any of them. I once told what you
thought to be one - the very first visit I paid you - and you mentioned it
many years afterwards. I told you I had seen glorious & picturesque dock leaves,
as large as round tables. You passed it politely - & I forgot the circumstance - believ-
ing that to be true that I had stated. But when however ( as I have just said) you
mentioned the circumstance, very good [ ], years afterwards, it was a
joke to you, but not so to me. I was too confounded to make reply, & knowing you
then to be a Botanist - & consequently likely to be correct - the convicted liar was
silent. I will not now mince the matter of a subterfuge. I meant an
ordinary sized table - & most likely was in error: but I never told you
a wilful & detestable lie. Never. An Fishman's wit would even here have
helped me out, for tables, I now know, an almost of all sizes. As the letter B
may be larger than a Bull's foot. I hope I have now fairly cleared myself