The Cotman Letters 1838-1864

To Dawson Turner Esq
Yarmouth. Sept: 3. 1841. 181
Norfolk
P.P.

My dear, my very dear Friend,
I cannot suffer another post to pass (though God knows at this
moment I am ill-prepared to write to anyone in consequence of the
ill condition state of my poor son Alfred, who has been for a long time a
maniac - and I am almost certain a confined one for life.) with-
out acknowledging briefly your last valuable present* so sprightly,
elegantly, manly, naturally & originally within. I consider it a perfect
gem and the author a very great credit to his master. Though I more
than suspect he is no great hand at my weapon. Still I proudly
own him a peer in the same art - though wielding a different
one, a double-edged one - poetry & history.
Your kind note accompanying the present pierced unto the quick.
You said you would visit me & shake me by the hand once again before
we died. It spoke volumes. It shall be sincerely clasped-for I know no
man, save Hudson Gurney, whose esteem I more truly value & always
did, than yourself.* You have assisted me with advice only given
by a father, sincere & just-by which it will please you to know I
have greatly profited, tho' not to the extent I might have done, certainly.
Hudson Gurney supplied me with money like a Prince, when for
my fanily's sake I begged it of him as a Beggar - almost as a
maniac. Indeed I am not certain I was not one - for after sleeping
for only three hours, exactly, per night for many months, that
flood of honors only known to the embarrassed man, pound instantly down
my brain, like only to the cataracts of Niagara - sweeping all
before it. Hudson Gurney saved me from actual ruin - nobly
saved me. I know you opinions of him therefore I need not
fear (what wd. be perhaps in woman) jealousy in being my
friend in connection with such (a …..I was going to say)
a MAN. His left hand knows not what his right hand did. My
kind & late valued friend Sir Henry Englefield was just such
another - The late Mr. Haniott must be added to my list of
*Note. It was love at first sight. So it was with John Gurney of Lynn.
Their eyes, full of sense & human kindness, won me quite before a
single favour had been shewn. I cannot account for it otherwise than as
love at first sight!!!!!