[The author is the eldest son of John's brother Cuthbert.]

[written at the period when Annie was preparing to write her father's biography. ]

8. Eastfield St,
Sunderland.

27/1/23.

Mrs. Cowie,
Headingley,
Leeds.

Dear Nance,

I enclose all the letters I can find. If I can supply any dates etc. please say what you require, and I will do my best to help you. I hope you will get on well with the 'Life' of Uncle John.

With the exception of the fashionable colds, we are all well, and hope you all can say the same.

My wife joins me in love to all,

Your loving cousin,
Robert P. Watson

8, Eastfield St.
Sunderland

29th. Dec: 1925.

Dear Cousin Nance,

Many thanks for sending me your type-written copy of your life of Uncle John. As I had this afternoon of quiet, it being a rainy day here in Sunderland, I just sat down and read every word ! so I am re-posting it to you herewith. It is a splendid account and very interesting to read. I am afraid I have not the critical faculty that can give the good or poor points of the work in detail. All I can say is that to me it was very interesting to recall matters I knew or have heard of, and to know many other details of which I was ignorant.

Our father died so long ago at 1881, and, as matters chanced, our lot was among the Potts side of the family, rather than the Watson's, though you and Kate are our only full cousins! If we get to Ilkley again we must have a run over to Headingley for a day and see you and family.

It must have been a terrible disappointment to you, after all your hard research and time and energy expended, to find no Publisher available. One of course must realise that there grows up every ten years or so, a generation that "knows not Joseph", and news must in these days of Newspapers & Wireless be served piping hot. There would have been a sale, no doubt, among the older Primitives, but the younger members of the Church are more interested in up-to-date works, whether of Biography or Novel. Even Dickens is not read now-a-days! and who reads Morley's "Life of Gladstone"? It is a great pity the work was not taken in hand some years before Uncle John's death, ready to be put in hand at his death. However, it will have been a labour of love for you at any rate, and thank you again for giving me a pleasure.

Wishing you all the season's compliments
and all here sending love
I am, Your loving cousin,

Robert P. Watson