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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 203, 25 September 1878, Page 4

Some interesting facts have been made public in regard to Gainsborough's famous portrait of the Duchess° of Devonshire. The picture was originally a full-length portrait, painted for Lord Spenser's collection, but was afterwards cut to the knees — a mutilation for which no reason is known. Greorgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, was famous for her beauty, wit and attractive manners; and this portrait; representing her as wearing the broad -brimmed Gainsborough hat— lately again in fashion, after nearly a century— is well-known to the public through the fine engravings which have been made of it. In May, 187G, this portrait was purchased at auction by Mr Agnew, the wellknown London picture-dealer. It was placed on exhibition at the New British Exhibition, in Old Bond-street, where it attracted a throng of visitors. But in a short time afterwards it was stolen one night so adroitly that no trace of the thief could be discovered. Some months ago (says the European Mail of August 2,) *Mr Agnew received a letter from New York in which the writer made a proposition to return the stolen portrait for 15,000 dollars, sending at the same time, as a proof of its being in his possession, a bit of canvas which fitted exactly into the jaggered edges of the stretching frame from which it had been cut. Negotiations were immediately opened; but the owner was unwilling to pay the sum demanded, and the London police could obtain no clue to the identity of the holder of the stolen picture, nor learn where it was, such was the secrecy and shrewdness with which the matter was managed. Yet it was believed that the portrait was carried from JS T ew York to London at that time, and afterwards returned to New York. Recently, Mr Agnew, through his agent, had made renewed efforts to regain the picture, although as yet without success. The' mysterious disappearance of this famous portrait has awakened unusual interest among all lovers of art, and the result of present efforts it is hoped will be successful. One of the anecdotes told over " the walDUts ond the wine" at the banquet is worthy of reproduction. Everyone known the reputation Diinedin has amongst Northern mon. Evan an Oamaru visitor finds it incumbent on bim to growl ebout the weather, and indulge in odious comparisons about genialty of climate. Particularly, perhapß, DuDedinites condoled with and pitied on their fancied disadvantages! in the matter of localityerown fruit. Some time ago, so the story runs, a Synodical meeting, or some such occasion, caused the congregation in oar abused city of a num. ber of dignitaries of the Episcopalian Church from Northern Provinces. It happened that one evening, shortly after their arrival, a Dunedin Presbyterian divine, as much renowned for " good company " as for his love and reverence for the city of his home, dined with distinguished company ; and amongst the fruits of the season upon the table were some decidedly stale peaches, of which even an Invercargill garden would be oshamed. The worthy Presbyterian divine had, of course, to listen 10 much graciously expressed pity about Dunedin'a poor fruit, and more mild "blow" about Akaros and Nelson products of the orchard particularly peaches. But "the time came." Witbin a week or so our Presbyterian friend dined egain again with the Bishops end the lesgar lights. This time a dish [of glorious looking peaches fronted their Lordships of Christchurcb and Nelson, and their Lordships eyed the luscious fruit with pleasure and tasted with delight. Said Christchurch to Nelson, "Try one of these, and I think you will Bgrea with me they must come from Akaron. The French settlers there appear to understand fruit growing to perfection." Nelson tried them but had to differ from his reverend confrere. " Such peaches never grew out of Nelson. The mildness of the climate gave the Nehon fruit a delicacy of taste and a thorough ripeness it could attain in no other part of New Zealand." The Dunedin divine heard all this with inward mirth, and then exploded the mine. " These, my Lords," said he, v are Dunedin productions, they are the true Presbyterian peaches." They had grown upon the northern wall of hia own manse and he had watched their ripening to perfection with a joy appreciable only by amateur gardeners; but gallantly he bad sacrificed them for the double purpose of maintaining

the credit of his beloved city, and of enjoying a quiet joke at the expense of tho Bishops, who prided themselves upon being infallible connoisseurs in fruit, and particularly peaches.— Otago Daily Times.