The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-06-08

I whether in the night by the window or
after the place was opened IN the morn
ing. Besides the entrance 10 the house
from the street, there was another en-
( trance by a side door opening into yard
through which persons of various occu-
pstiuns passed to some stables and a shoe
forge. This side door is connectsd by 8
narrow and dark passage, with the prln-
cipsl entrance from the street, so that q
person might escape being seen there,
and quietly step out when the porter had
unlocked tina door and gone to attend any
other duty.
The excitement in LondCn after the
discovery OF the theft was intense. The
fact of the robbery was telegrsphed to
all the continental capitals and 4 20 this
country, and detectives watched every
outgoing steamer for suspicious passen-
gers, while the Me:srs. Agnew offered q
reward of Gl,5OO for its recovery, but
without avail. About year ago, how
ever, the firm received letter dated
from the Grand Central Hotel New York
in which was made proposition 70: the
return of the picture, the writer saying
that it was IN his possession, and naming
three thousand gmueas as his price
something more than double the reward
offered.
The owners at once seized upon the
clue. In response TO their request that
some proof that the writer had, indeed,
the stolen portrait, second letter was
received, also dated in New York and
enclosing tsnts!zing bit OF the precious
canvas which fitted exactly to the jagged
edges of the stretcher from which the
picture was cut, and in color matching
with the adjoining background. The
Messrs. Agnew lost no time in sending
word 20 the address given, New York,
Grand Cen trial Hotel, n. Y, U. S.A."
proposing immediate negotiations. They
did not wish to pay a heavier ransom
than that first offered, but they hoped,
If their correspondent would communi-
cate with them more definitely, that q
satisfactory arrangement might be
made.
Finally, after the exchange of some
further lettrrs, it was agreed that the
picture should be sent TO London, and
that the negotiations should be continued
there. TINS was done, and the agent in
charge of the portrait brought TO the
Messrs. Agnew still another piece from
the picture, which again exactly CORES
ponded with the edge of the canvass
stretcher. But he would not abste his
demand for the 5000 gulneas reward.
The owners would not pay that sum and
the agent disappeared. His interviews
with the firm was conducted with such
shrewdness and secrecy that the London
police could obtain no clue 10 his ldent-
ty or to that of his principals or the where.
abouts of the stolen picture.
The picture was returned to New
York. OF this the Messrs. Agnew are
assured and they are making another
effort to secure its recovery. With this
in view, they empowered Mr.. David 2.
Ssllar of SO Princes Gate, London, to
come to this city and reopen communi-
, cation with their mysterious correspon-
dents. Last week Mr.. Selar, VINO reach.
cd New York few days before in
serted the following among the Herald
"Pers9nels."
NEW YORK.-IF THE PRESENT OWN
~ er of Gainsborough's celebrated pie
! lure, THE Ouch esS of Devonshire, which
was taken from Old Bond street In 1876,
! will address |. =. D., Herald uptown Office
| negotiations tor it's restoration can be re-
! sumed.
No response to this advertisement had
been received up to last evening.
There was some doubt thrown upon
the authenticity of the stolen picture as
the genuine Gsinsborough when it was
found, in the shop of second hand deal
| er several years ago but this doubt was
! dispelled upon the close investigation of
! those competent TO decide, and hence the
unprecedented price paid for it by the
Agnews. GeorgIana, Duchess of Devon
shire, was famous during the latter part
of the last century tor her beauty wit,
and electioneerirg exploits. Walpole
said of her that her "lively modesty and
modest familiarity made her phenome
non," and other contemporary writers
! bore tribute to her destinations. The
| painters of her time did their best to
perpetrate her charms. Sir Joshua Rey.
nods painted two portraits Of her which
were among his most celebrated works.
Gainsborough also painted two portraits
OF hcr-one in l77G, which Is at Althrop;
the other in 1888, full length, for Lord
! Spencers collection. This last was the
one stolen from the new British institu-
ton. 1t seems TO have disappeared for
number of years, but in 1889 was pur-
Chased of Mrs. Msginnls, by picture
restorer, for $50, and sold by him to Mr.
| .. lNbnp hot - Of
Mr.. Wynn-Ellis' collection not included
in his beQuest to the Crown was sold by
auction in May, 1876, this portrait was
reputed TO be the gem of them ali. Dur
ing the interval Of its disappearance the
portrait had been cut down TO the knees,
mutilation for which it was not easy
TO account satisfactorily. Nevertheless
al the sale, concerning which there was
great interest, the biddings commenced
at 600 gulness, and was rapidly run up
to lO,l00 guineas, At which sum it was
knocked down to Mr.. Agnew.
The portrait is familiar to the art pub.
| lie, through the excellent engravings
made of it. The beautiful original wears
the broad "Gainsborough" hat-lsteiy
again the fashion after nearly Il century
one side looped up to the crown, lesv-
Ing the charming face and the plentiful
hair, curled snd pulled, while the oppo-
site side falls coquettlshly almost to the
shoulder. The face looks out smllngly
and the attitude is of one who, as she
walks past, turns her head to look upon
you, needing only an invitation 10 stop.
The dress is rich OF soft, figured mater
ia and about the throat Is worn high
collar of co,tly lace. The sleeves are
large and puff at the shoulders, tight
fitting down the arm to the wrist, and
over the right arm is thrown the train Of
the dress.