396 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
1856. This fine portrait is the property of Mr. Cook’s family. I 
have no right to anticipate its future and final abode ; but may, 
perhaps, be permitted to hold out some prospects of its being one 
day presented to this Institution. The portrait of Cook in chalk 
is by the late Field Talfourd, and belongs to me. 
Another important drawing made by Cook at about this period 
was that of a gipsy encampment. As well as I remember the 
figures must have been ten or twelve inches in height ; it consisted 
of a large group; each figure had been thoroughly studied, and 
drawn from a model in the attitude represented. Cook had made 
several studies purposely for this drawing, which became the 
property of Colonel Pedler, at Mutley House, where I frequently 
saw it. I am not aware in whose possession it now is. It exhibited 
remarkable knowledge of the human figure, which he must have 
rapidly acquired under the instruction of Col. Hamilton Smith, 
and from drawing from life. He was in the habit of getting sea- 
faring men and others to stand for him as models in all sorts of 
positions and attitudes. 
It is scarcely to be credited, and yet it is the fact, that at this 
time, when he was painting water-colour drawings that would have 
been a credit to any exhibition, he was still house-painting and 
graining wood, and I have seen him on his knees engaged in this 
comparatively mechanical work in a closet, when he might have 
been devoting his time to the art which was about to make him 
great. 
His time was now becoming valuable and was well filled up, but 
he managed to get up to town and have a look round at the spring 
exhibitions, when he felt himself for the first time weighed in the 
balance with others, and knew that he was not found wanting. 
It was about the year 1850 when he made drawings for admis- 
sion to what was then called The New Water Colour Society, but 
which now bears the name of the Institute of Water Colour 
Painters, in London. The Society at once showed their discrimina- 
tion by unanimously electing him, and from that moment he 
attained a status in the art world. 
Having arrived at the period when Cook was fairly before the 
public as an exhibitor, it is time that I should describe and 
criticise his works. 
The character of an artist as a man may generally be learnt from 
his works, and this was never more strikingly exemplified than in 
