STEALING PICTURES.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.')
Sin,—The recovery of the stolen Gainsborough reminds me of an incident which made a great stir at the time, now between forty and fifty years ago,—the stealing of the Suffolk pictures from Charlton Park. One morning it was found that twelve canvases had been cut out of their frames. All were well-known pictures and of considerable value, the most famous being, if I remember right, "Le Raboteur" of Annibale Carracci. The thief had once been butler in the service of the family, and had obtained a situation as porter in one of the Government offices through the influence of Lord Suffolk. He had secreted himself in a place used for storing wood, which adjoined the central hall. (This some- what resembles the impluvium of a Roman house.) As soon as it was light he made his way into the drawing-rooms, where the pictures were hanging, cut out the canvases, as has been said, rolled them up, and walked with them to the nearest railway station (between five and six miles distant). He had often heard that the pictures were worth much money, but had not realised that this money could not be realised. After keeping them for several 'years, he sent one to be cleaned ; the cleaner, of course, recognised it, and gave information. Ultimately the man was condemned to-a term of penal servitude. The curious rumours that got about were not the least vexatious part of the affair. I remember the late Lord Suffolk (then Lord Andover) describing to me an interview which be had had with a detective, in which the officer had hinted to him, not obscurely, his belief that he (Lord Andover) knew more about the affair than he chose to
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