The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-08 00:00:00

wati proved, for trial. In the present instance he
did not tl ink there was sufficient to detain the pri-
soner, and he would bo dis'charged, but he had
better be careful for the future.

THE N • TVLY DIscoVEREO PoRTRAIT
OF 811.1 KsPEARE.
Mr. Charles Wright has addressed the following letter
to a contemporary :
Sir,—For the sake of truth and fair play I am induced
to trouble you with this in reference to the recent—so as-
serted—discovery of an original portrait of Shakspeare at
Stratford-upon-Avon.
In the early part of last week I received a letter from
Leamington, the writer being entitled to all possible re-
spect, calling attention to this discovery, and containing
the following paragraph relative to the portrait
" I certainly think there is a fair presumptive evidence
in favour of its being the original from which the bust was
made seven years (query, four) after the death of the poet,
and probably the portrait said to have been painted by Bar'
bage. '
This communication induced me to seek the discoverer--
Mr. S. Collins, of Somerset-street, Portman-square—who
has been most unreserved and straightforward in his state-
ments.
Although prepared to regard the whole affair with the
utmost suspicion, and, recollecting the many Shaksperiau
falsities, manuscript and pictorial, which have occurred--
anticipating the existence of a delusion of some kind, I 02
fearful rudeness was exemplified in my queries to discover
it; in fact, I felt compelled to apologise for the ungra-
ciousness of my questions, but I found no apology was
needed. On the contrary, all possible inquiry appeared to
be courted, and nothing was elicited that I could object to
except the expression of a determination that the portrait
should not come to London, which I urged as the best
means to test its claims and set all doubts at rest.
The details of the discovery of this picture are marvel-
lous, but the highly respected names that have appeared in
connexion with them renders aught but their reception in
good faith impossible. It now only seems that there has
been made manifest the need for the utmost microscopical
inquiry, by thoroughly competent persons, in regard to old
portraits, and which the discoverer expressed his desire to
aid at Stratford. Nothing appeared to have been done, or
that it was proposed to do, that could be cavilled at.
There are alleged facts of association in reference to this
portrait which in common fairness cannot be disregarded.
From the accounts in the local papers it appears to have
been where it was found for more than a century—and the
probability of it having been obtained from the Cloptons
affords a warrantable link to extend the pedigree far back-
wards from that period. New-place was bought by Shak-
spear° from the Undei hill family in 1593 ; it had been pos-
sessed by the Cloptons previously, and to the Cloptons it
returned.
In the notice of the discovery of the portrait in the Atho-
nceum of Saturday last a most important fact does not ap-
pear, and without the statement of which the conduct of the
possessor of the portrait must seem absurd beyond belief.
The writer therein says, in regard to Mr. Hunt—"
children have made the Guy' a target for their bows and
arrows ;" and further, "of the multitude of Shakspearian
scholars who have been to Mr. Hunt's house not one, I hear
from Mr. Hunt, ever noticed it for good or bad." Now, if
such were the mishaps of the portrait and its antecedents,
how could Mr. Hunt permit any claims to be put forth that
the picture should in any way be regarded with respect ?
It is only when the fact is displayed, as stated in the local
papers, and affirmed by Mr. Collins to myself, that the per•
trait now brought to view was disguised by an over paint-
ing and hid by dirt, that Mr. Hunt's conduct is well ac-
counted for, and that the inattentions of the " multitude
of Shakspearian scholars" can cease to be regarded as
something akin to futurity.
From the statement in the Atheneum I derive a very
curious inference—namely, that a very bad portrait picture
can make a very impressive portrait photograph. The
portrait I have not seen, the photograph I have. The in-
spection of the latter must produce the conviction that
either the portrait produced the bust, or the bust the por-
trait, and as regards the head a more noble one w Is never
depicted by sculptor or painter as indicated in this photo.'
graph, it is grand in its simplicity, and if the painting be
proved to be untrustworthy it will be with the regrets of all
who study its lineaments as displayed in the photograph.
Possibly there may appear in the painting a crudeness and
a boldness which the photographic process has softened,
and imparted an appearance now of harmonious finish and
dignity.
Of course, the affair cannot be left where the 2/thenecurn
has placed it. It must now be fully discussed by the com-
petent. The editors of the local papers and the worthy
gentlemen whose names have been so freely used will
surely never accept the position which the writer in that
paper has assigned them. Specially, as no selfish object of
a degrading nature is apparent as a motive power anywhere/
all has been done in reverence of that memory so dear W
Englishmen. The proprietor of the portrait purposes giving
it to the Shakspeare Museum, and the discoverer to super-
intend thet production of a photograph the profits of which
are to aid the same institution. Influenced by such feelings,
it is very difficult to comprehend how the same gentlemen
—those who are stated to have effected so much inprove-
ment in the town, displaying judgment and taste therein—
could place the most precious relic in Stratford or in
England—tho bust—in jeopardy, or that they could have
bestowed the least attention upon a worthless picture.
Justice to all parties concerned imposes .the necessity for
. on ptinuo (won gh —an a with t"
hope that you will aid it by publicity I beg to subscribe
myself, &c.

COUNTRY MAR

NORWICH-APRIL 6.

•
At this market to-day wheat was in fair supply, but
i
a slow sale, and last week's rates were supported The
supply of barley was limited, and prices were the same 45;
last week.
White wheat. 58s to 62s Red wheat 54s to 584
Malting barley....4ss to 478 I Chevalier barley 41a to 44e
Distilling do ......31s to 34s Oats..
Flour, 43s to 43s 6d per sack from the miller.