Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-09
blackenel and apparently beyond re-

~ NSoA
demption?"
The writer, with characteristic sar-
casm, POINTS out that some time in the
los a late senator discovered the rare
qualities of the work, and that it was at
terward restored by a professor of res
toration" from Milan. This process, it
may be said. is what the simon-pure con-
noisseur- regards as he very highest of
impertinence-nay, even of sacrilege.
However, to bring matters down to a re-
cent date, when Prince Chigi. the owner,
declared his wish to dispose Of his Botti-
celli at auction. there gathered in Rome
the usual collection of polite agents from
the most noted picture buyers through
out Europe, with the intention of enter
ing into competition for the picture.
Here came in the government, which,
through its distinguished minister. in
formed the prince that it was against the
law to sell at auction 10 the highest bid
der, regardless of nationality, a picture
so highly esteemed by the authorities,
without first offering it to the crown. To
this the noble prince replied with all
ObseQuiOusneSs:
Honorable gentlemen, I shall sell the
picture, but not at auction: and, more
over, l shall give all possible informa-
ton as to the purchaser before the paint
ing leaves my hands, so that there may
be no cause to complain on that score
Then the noble prince called together
the various agents and customers for a
wine supper at his palace.
Gentlemen" said he, when he had
them behind closed doors. Il have the
distinguished honor to inform you that 1
value my Botticelli at 10, 900 lire 1884. 00O).
I am here to consider negotiations from
that point, so let's get down to business,
and don't all speak at once, for no one
knows what government agents there
may be laying their ears against the out
side shutters at this moment
Thus the original intention was carried
out. Though there was no auction in the
proper sense of the word, and in that re-
gard the conscience of the i~mpecunious
prince was appeased. at the same time he
took good care that his self-interest did
not suffer, even at the expense of the law
and at the risk of mourning government
reproof. How spirited the bidding was at
thai famous supper will never be known,
but the fact remains that the prince re-
ceived and accepted ar offer of 315 900
lire, or about 1853, 900. for the Botticelli.
In order to pay proper respect to the
law the purchaser gave a visiting card, or
that of another, which is not important,
with the address of an art institution, de-
claring at the same time that as he now
possessed the Botticelli he was prepared
| to conform to the Italian law. With tho
beaurocratic precision that is the delight
OF the Ministerial IunCtlOn, the OlStll-
guished stranger was informed hat his
visiting card was not receivable, and that
he must give a signed. sealed and stamp
ed document, properly registered before
a notary.
This the illustrious stranger said would
be his greatest delight; and then, 10 and
behold, while the minister was following
out his red tape, the purchaser of the
Botticelli backed up the picture in some
mysterious name and too a long walk,
from which he never returned.
The ministry awoke to find that it had
been Northumberland the name given
by the illustrious stranger was a false
one, the address false, and also the sigma
ture on the stamped document. The ma
evidently we'll understood with whom he
F! had to deal leaving it with the distin-
guished ministry to proclaim to the four
winds the theft of the Botticelli."
At these tidings loyal Italy sent up a
groan, the connoisseurs arose in a age,
the ministry chafed. but the very wise
ones placed their forefingers on the side
of their noses and Winked.
AS for Prince Chigi, nursing his replen.
ished purse, he is making all sorts OF
apologies. He is also joining the anathe.
mas heaped upon the "thief,' who, witt
the "old MASTER is we'll over the border
and is probably drinking champagne ir
con~gratulation of his principal, who has
} hung the rare Botticelli in the place OF
of honor in his salon.