416 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
delighted with them, and pointed out to his friends their especial 
qualities of light and air. Many there amongst the crowd of 
visitors had never heard of Cook. His folio was beset by artists, 
amateurs, and dealers, and some noted dealers asked him that 
evening if he would accept commissions from them. I never saw 
him made so much of. As he left the suite of rooms at midnight 
with Lady Trelawny on his arm, it was a night that might have 
made him proud; but Cook was proof against flattery, and far 
above it; nothing could spoil him. He probably went home to 
dream of the fine works of art by his contemporaries which we 
had seen together that night. 
To say that Samuel Cook was universally respected by those 
who had the privilege of his acquaintance would be saying little. 
He was beloved by all who knew him with that intimacy necessary 
to full appreciation ; and amongst those most ready to acknowledge 
the justice of this eulogy are many of his friends amongst the 
gentler sex, whose earnest and refined feelings especially qualify 
them to judge of so gentle a man as Samuel Cook. 
It is a pleasure to know that most of his drawings are in the 
possession of residents in this neighbourhood. ‘They are chiefly 
made from sketches in Devon and Cornwall and Wales. All his 
best coast subjects are from Cornwall. 
One drawing of Cook’s, taken from Stonehouse Bridge, is the 
property of the nation, and is hung at South Kensington, between 
a Turner and a Prout. 
The sketches themselves, many of exquisite beauty, were found 
at his death to be very numerous. Under my advice they were 
sent to London to be sold by auction at Foster’s sale-room. His 
widow asked me to lot them, and put a price on them. I could 
not refuse this duty, and performed it; but it obviously precluded 
me from being a purchaser, and I confess that I have never recon- 
ciled myself to the sacrifice I felt compelled to make. If I had 
had nothing to do with selling them, probably I should have had a 
great deal to do with buying them, I gave no commission to buy, 
and would not trust myself to attend the sale. These sketches 
averaged from £5 to £7 each, and produced altogether about 
£500. 
It may be expected that I should say something of the com- 
mercial value, as well as of the artistic value, of Cook’s works. 
I need, however, only remark that an artist has first to be well- 
