PREFACE

Many years ago, Mr. Kaines Smith invited me to contribute
a book on David Cox to the 'British Artists' series he was then
editing for Messrs. Philip Allan. Though complimented at the
idea of my work appearing in company with that of older and,
in some cases, indisputably distinguished writers, I doubted
my capability for the task. My knowledge of Cox was, I felt,
inadequate for the purpose. However, encouraged by C.
Reginald Grundy, then Editor of 'The Connoisseur,11 accepted
the commission. The knowledge that Grundy had himself
inherited a direct 'Cox' tradition from two sources—through
his own grand-uncle (R. H. Grundy) and a friendship with the
Radclyffe family—was a strong incentive.

So it was that in 1924 my original book on 'David Cox' was
published. A deal of labour went into it and maybe it served
its purpose, but between it and the present essay there are
differences of mood and outlook; all available material has been
re-studied, and far more stress is placed on heredity and
environment. (Parenthetically may I remark that my slightly
old-fashioned belief in heredity is retained on the basis that
environment does not and never can be made to cover all the
facts.)

As for the rest, this book must serve as its own definition,
and it merely remains for me to express my indebtedness to
all who have in any way helped me to bring it into being.
C. Reginald Grundy, since passed away, must receive pride
of place; and a special debt of gratitude is owed to my friend,
Mr. Cyril G. E. Bunt, whose name as sole compiler of the list
of Cox's exhibited works, should really share the title-page
with mine.

To another valued friend, Mr. H. Granville Fell, Editor of
'The Connoisseur,' I owe my sincere thanks for his advice and
for his permission to utilize certain material on Cox which I
wrote for that magazine. I am also much indebted to Mr. Walter
Turner, as I am to Sir Robert Clermont Witt, Mr. F. J. Nettlefold,