Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/5
Page: 93
Description
Journal of John Joseph Cotman [December 1838?]
Date:
Transcription
93
Journal
[of John Joseph Cotman, written, probably, in Dec / 1838]
To commence I am rather desirous to think a little of what
has passed. Yarmouth the place of my birth or rather Southtown
on a road about one mile from Yarmouth. Parents having
settled there after being married a year or two and giving birth
to two children boy and girl. The earliest scenes of which I have
any recollection are those of gardens and meadows then extensive now found to be small indeed. When quite young health
and strength fell to me in abundance at the time of commencing
school about five years old ones temper began to show itself
passionate to a degree. Our governess gave me a good character
although no great proficient but I well remember the effect of
habit even at that early age our lessons which were long ones
for such children (at least I judge so for the impression remained
on going to another school when older was that the lessons
were ridiculously short this impression remained through many
changes of school._) We had to prepare in evening for next
morning our plan was to shut ourselves up in our own room by
ourselves and study then for about an hour, after repeating the
verbally we read them over once. The books were then placed
beneath our pillows and we enjoyed the evening either walking
or reading and as sure as morning came so sure was our lesson
perfectly know. - One of the circumstances which live with me
most dearly was one day after much ill conduct on my part
on receiving thereafter some correction from Mother I turned and
applied some oath to her I felt this at the time to have been
a most unheard of offence and was much grieved at it.
Although nothing was said, directly afterwards at some wild
play I dashed some toy through the window for this I feared
punishment on my father's return. and never shall I forget
the wonder astonishment and delight I felt when my Mother
without punishing me sent with all a Mother's kindness to have
the window replaced before my Father's return. The pain I