The Cotman Letters 1838-1864

(12. 8. '41)
(4) 175

When I enter the precincts of my labours they flock around me like
Bees. To be otherwise with them would be a perfect Hell to me. For
Boys can & will torment those they disregard - and I would turn
Shoeblack before I would attempt to teach black faces. Boys, too, are good
critics. They know well when a Master attempts to do his duty, &
appreciate him accordingly. Play with them, & do it not, and they
instantly stamp you an ignorant ass & a fool. I placed at once the
following notice in my Room - “Gentlemen, I depend upon your integrity
& good sense not wilfully to deface the walls, furniture & works of
art, placed around you. It is not done upon the Continent. Let it be said,
to your honour, it is not done in the Drawing Class room of Kings College.”
John Sell Cotman - Master.”
This was written & printed in colours, etc, in imitation of the old M.S.S.
- which you know I am more than rather fond of - & placed in the vacant
centre of a large & fine old engraving, some four feet high - the print {Small sketch}
four feet - Thus, A, my notice, B, the engraving, full of good
figures, Lions, & other bold ornaments of the best sort. The Boys
responded to my expectations, and it answered completely, to the aston-
ishment of all the Masters. Nor has my room been scarcely touched by
a profane hand - & that only by the first & second class - mere children.
This circumstance speaks wonders for England, and is (in my opinion) worthy of record.
A circumstance occurred some three years back that might have
turned out to me woefully. But it was by tact & promptness - & seeing the
necessary result - most fortunately avoided, and extension of privilege
ceded to me since that moment. The masters of each class do not
visit my rooms, as they used to do, to see that all is quiet. Dr. Major
& most August visitors opened my door, and, from the noise, were
about to retire, with no pleasant recollections of the scene. I instantly
took off my hat & respectfully motioned them to advance. They did
so. I thus mentioned they intended at a moment the Boys were much
excited by an honour obtained by a Master, and that I had given
them permission to show this approbation of the event and, that
once over, they would settle to this work & there excitement cease -
and, without I had done so, the excitement wd. have lasted for the