The Sun.
London, England, 1831-11-30 00:00:00

" CHANGE OF FORTUNE.

" A few months since a poor man who kept a shop in Gray's
Inn-lane, for the sale of pictures and sundry minor prints, found
that things were going very hard with him, and that he was often
obliged to borrow money to purchase bread for his family, and
being unable to meet the tax-gatherer and his landlord with
money for their demands, was determined to let his shop
and to make an effort to raise himself in society or
sink into the shades of a workhouse. Among the pie.
tures in his shop was one of Venus ; he took his pencil,
gave it is few slight touches to renovate its beauty, and
placed it in his window. Either the beauty of the painting or its
novelty attracted a gentleman, a brewer, who resides in the
neighbourhood. who being possessed of A good fortune, and an
admirable business, was inclined to purchase it. The shopkeeper
knew from his manners that he wanted it, and to raise its value
praised it, declaring it was a masterpiece of a celebrated painter,
I'he gentleman being young, and very ardent in his desires, offered
a very extravagant price for it, but the owner refuted it, saying,
it was not adequate to its value. The gentleman. not wishing to
be foiled in his object, stated, that as he had refused a sum of
money, he would offer something else; he had two houses just
built at St. John's Wood, near the Regent's Park, which, if he
would take as a remuneration, he would convey over to him.
The shopkeeper, thinking he would not get a better bargain,
took the offer. and now enjoys the pleasure or having too free-
hold houses in his possession. The picture in value was not
worth ten pounds, but it took the purchaser's fancy and ho
bought it. The shopkeeper still holds his shop, going to St.
John's Wood every evening, occupying with his family the one,
and having let the other at a high rental."

It would be seen that in the libel there was just as
much truth in it as to make every person in the plain-
tiff's neighbourhood know that he was the person alluded
to. The plaintiff was the only picture-dealer in the neigh-
bourhood of Gray's Inn-lane. Mr. Wyatt was the pur-
chaser of the picture for 8001., but, instead of the money,
giving three leasehold houses in exchange—stated in the
libel to be two freehold houses. The defendants, on
being applied to, refused to give any explanation or apo-
logy, merely stating that they did not know who sent
them the paragraph, and the plaintiff was obliged to bring
his action. He had been accused of fraud, and although
certainly his name was not mentioned, yet there could be
no doubt it referred to him, and, therefore, on his behalf,
the Learned Caunsel called on the Jury to
give ample da-
mages.
Mr. Renshaw, landlord of the plaintiff's kouse, proved
that he, the plaintiff, had resided at 41, Gray's-Inn-lane,
and carried on the business of a picture dealer for twenty-
four years to his knowledge. He did not know any other
picture dealer in that neighbourhood.
In cross-examination, by Mr. GURNEY, the witness
could not state whether the persons at Nos. 33, 60, or 54,
were or were not picture-dealers.
Mr. Wyatt stated that he had known the plaintiff for
some years. Witness formerly had a brewery in Portpool-
lane, Gray's-Inn-lane ; he first saw the picture of Venus
three or four years ago, and at length he purchased it.
The plaintiff at first asked 1,000/. for it, but the sum
ultimately agreed upon was 8001., for which he conveyed
to the plaintiff three leasehold houses in St. John's Wood,
which cost him nearly that money. He had not had any
reason to Ise dissatisfied with his bargain. He had seen the
libel in question, and had no doubt it referred to the plain•
tiff. He knew of no other picture-dealer in Gray's Inn-lane.
The clerk to the plaintiffs attorney produced a certificate