The i§pettator, 3utp 24th. 1852
Thomas Collins, an old man, has been twice examined before Mr. Arnold at Westminster, on a charge of having fraudulently obtained a great number of portraits from " the nobility and gentry." . . . The Eail of Desart was the approximate cause of his exposure, as he readily prosecuted. Collins, he said, came to him in 1848, and asked for his portrait, in order that he might have it engraved for his work of " Portraits of Conservative Statesmen." The portrait was lent, and the Earl heard no more of it until the other day, when he received a pawn- broker's duplicate for the portrait, pledged for £2, and a letter which is a curiosity.
" My Lord—I have really now no other alternative but to write to you, and describe what must be to me most painfuL I struggled, but wholly failed in my efforts, to publish your Lordship's portrait in my national work of Eminent Conserva- tives; and during the Whig Administration all my efforts were in vain. A distress on my property was the result; and in order to save the property of others, I was compelled to adopt a most disagreeable mode to do so. Your Lordship's portrait, amongst the rest, is in safety, at considerable expense to myself. How, my Lord, I rejoiced when Lord Derby's Govern- ment was installed ! I made myself quite certain of conquering my difficulties by proceeding with my national work, and my resolution was formed to place your Lordship's portrait in hand forthwith; but, my Lord, unexpected troubles have come upon me, and I therefore candidly and openly confess my position. I enclose the document (the pawnbroker's ticket) to show that the property is in safety; but, my Lord, not being able to conquer the troubles with which I am now visited, I have resorted to your Le(rdship without loss of tithe. -I will not enter into details of my present position. Suffice it to say it is excrutiating.
" I have the honour to be, your Lordship's faithful .humble
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