The architect visited Newlyn first as early as 1900, when he purchased two paintings from NAG while staying at the Queens Hotel, a painting by Miss L FLEMMING, An Autumn Evening, and The Little Wood by Lamorna BIRCH.

In 1904, writing from Hanover Terrace, he wrote to thank Stanhope FORBES for sending several of Birch's paintings up to him in London, from which selection he had chosen one, The Brook (?unclear). He commented that his wife was sorry to have missed Mrs FORBES [in London] the previous day, and that he hoped the construction of their house [Higher Faughan] would go on successfully.