The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-25
RICHARD ABERCORN,S WEEKLY
 LETTER FROM ENGLISH ISLE

below. and her many cranes, give her unique appearance.
 Mir. J. Pierpont Morgan has just added to his collection of costly antiques a silver pertaining pan re- gently found st Brugg, Switzerland, where there was formerly Roman city called vindonissa.
 This unique treasure which dates from the first century A. D. is beauti- fully chased with the figures of Mars and Mercury, and on the handles is a picture of the soldier Mercator, of the 2lst legion. under the command of vitellius.
 MT. Morgan purchased the silver pan from the Swiss antiquarIans who are excavating at Brugg, and were obliged to sell 1t to obtain funds to carry on the work.
 This ancient city has been deceived for twelve years by a collection or "old Masters" most of which now turn out to be mere copies or fakes.
 The Holburne Museum was until lately one of the city's chief glories. and the pictures therein were valued at $2.500.000. There were 2be of them but 194 have been rejected as worthd- less by the new curator, Hugh Blaker. The spurious paintings were housed in building which cost $100,000, and were heavily insured, one falked "Oid Master" which was insured for $2,S00, being of less value than its frame. Among the worthless pictures were i've ascribed to A. Cuyp, four to Teniers, three each to Vandyck. Sir Peter Lely, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Salvador Rosa; two each to Rubens and George Morland. and one each to Gains borough. Bellini. Leonardo da Yinci Gerard Douw, Paul Potter, Hobbema, and Wouvermans.
 "The whole thing" says Mir. Baker, is one of the most extraordinary incl dents the art world has ever known. Many of the originals of the pictures which were alleged to be in Bath have all been calmly reposing in London and Continental galleries. The so- called Murtllos, for instance, if they were good. they would be, worth at least $5o.o0o each, and there is an al- legged Titan which could not be pur- chased for $250.000 if it were genuine"
 Sir William Holburne, who gave the collection to the city, was retired naval officer, with plenty of money, and mania for collecting pictures, and no discrimination. He is said to have spent $5.00O,00o on pictures, buying reelxlessly everything that was called an Old Master. He refused to take expert advice, and became the victim of shady dealers. He passed on the fraud to the city of Bath. which is now laughing at the great picture fiasco.
 The Duchess of Bedford. who is per- haps the most skillful and enthusias- tic sportswoman in England. and is specially noted for her pheasant-shoot- ing. contributes to new book called Modern Sporting Gunnery." a practical chapter on Ladies in the Field"
 After advising female gunners to be- gin with rabbits and not to shoot too quickly, Her Grace gives some useful hints about dress. Coat, skirt, cap, and gaiters." she says, should all be made of the same material--viz., a tweed The color should assimilate as nearly as possible with the natural surroundings of the wearer--that is, heather mixture of brown, grey and green" The Duchess warns sports women against startling checks and plaids.
 Tt is impossible for woman to do long days walking in comfort over the moors or in turnips in skirt which is longer than eight inches below the knee"
 "A woman who shoots" writes the Duchess, should never allow her fel- low-sportsmen to carry anything for her. Men are more or less bound to refuse. Men with good manners are sometimes a little over-careful when shooting with women, and leave them birds which are really their own. Wo- men should look out for this, and do as they would be done by"
 The Duchess gives some elementary rules for safety in using a gun, and adds some naxims for the deld which show her to be q thorough and humane sportswoman. Thus:
 "A jealous shot ig q nuisance to him. self and an abomination to his neigh bor."
 Avoid boasting that a bird was hit. even though not killed. It is matter for regret not for boasting."
 First, aim at being a safe shot, and then a brilliant one, for to kill and not to wound should be the aim of every sportswoman."
 The author of the book. Mir Henry