The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-23

ory It is related that not one of his friends has ever been able 10 quote from standard poetical works a passage (Which MT Hay could not immediately place by naming the author. Whether MT. Hay has written much fiction in recent years is something of a puzzle to his friends. A successful novel recently published anonymously was the aibieet of much speculation, and it was surmised by some critics that 1t may have come from the pen of the author of Little Brooches. It is thought that the man r7ho from the days of his youth has found much pleasure and not a little fame in his pen has probably not yet forsaken au- thorship. and that later there may be added to the list of his works some thing to be pr,zed in literature. No memoirs" need be expected, however, at least nothing touching diplomatic questions, for MT. Hay abhors the man who leaves behind him secrets which he has feared to reveal while living.
 Saving a Masterpiece.
 Over the fireplace in the dining room hangs Botticeli Madonna with a his- tory Not alone was it painted by the master, more than four hundred years ago; not alone had it hung in the palaces Of great nobles before it became the property of the present owner, but Sec retary Hay a few years ago saved it from declining into a wrinkled mass of pigment. He had observed that the re- verse side of the wooden panel on which 1t was painted was baby cracked The cracks threatened to increase and to break through the paint, destroying for ever the beautiful representation of Madonna in profile the full length figure surrounded by a host of cherubim. A smaller Madonna. but of which question had been raised whether it were executed by Botticelli or his master, Fra Hippo Iippi the Carmelite, also showed similar distressing tendencies The authenti- cated Botticelli was MT. Hays greatest concern, for 1t is valued at s40000. An artist who had been found wiling to at- tempt the salvation of the pictures died before his task was begun. MT. Hay found in New York a man confident of hls ability to avert the impending ruin. After working successfully with the smaller Madonna he proceeded to treat the larger.
 His object was to remove from the panel the paint laid on four centuries before without cracking, rubbing scratching or bending it. Over the paint ed surface were laid scores of sheets of damp tissue paper. There was just enough thin paste to cause them to ad- here at certain points. Over the ridges of paint which in some lines Botticellf had used to enhance the relief the tissue was moulded by hand with infinite care. More sheets of tissue paper were added. until a fairly thick matirx was formed. Then the whole was laid away and dried for many days. Face down the panel was placed upon soft but firm bed. and the masterpiece doctor attacked the reverse side with sandpaper. The mag nitude of his task may be appreciated inch thick. Slowly it was worn away, until there remained between the paint and the delft hand of the artist only a paper-like sheet of wood. This was del- icately resolved into dust. Then a linen canvas was moulded to the pigment. and when 1t was secure the painting was fully restored. with no danger of crack ing and good for four hundred years more. It was set in a frame built in the wall above the fireplace in the dining room. and there 1t Is to stay. In the preservation of this painting Secretary Hay took great delight just as he would have deeply deplored it's loss.
 From the sublime to the ridiculous ranges MT. Hays taste in art. for among his most highly prized possessions are the cartoons which have marked the con- troversiAl zenith of certain of his public policies.
 In little room just off the hall is telling cartoon representing Mir. Hay astride the second -Pauncefote treaty galloping winner under the wire of a