STEALING PICT U HES.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR,"1 SIE,—While in town some time ago, I went with a friend to see an exhibition of pictures. The gallery was very empty, as it was after 5 o'clock and the light was going. We had the upper rooms to ourselves, and sat down there to rest. Ten minutes later we descended the stairs, and were astonished to find the whole place deserted and in semi-darkness, a huge iron shutter having been let down between us and the street. No sort of warning had been given us, although we (the only ladies in the gallery) had gone upstairs in full view of a person who appeared to be the manager of the exhibition. Luckily for us, the inner glass door had not been locked, and the small door in the iron screen opened from the inside, so that we were soon in the street; but we could not help reflecting how very simple it would have been to carry away with us one of the priceless landscapes which we had just been admiring. If all collections are treated in this very casual manner, it is wonderful that we do not hear of more " mysterious disappearances," or at least of wilful damage and mutilation.
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