STOLEN ART RETURNED

one of the two paintings stolen from the small nicholas roerich museum in late june was returned through the mail in perfect condition, the museum director said.

the "talung monastery" was delivered to the west 107th street and riverside drive museum in a manila envelope with a city return address.

"it didn't get looked at for a while. we thought it was junk mail," said dan entin, the director. "it was a real surprise to open it and see what it was."

the museum is dedicated to the works of the russian painter who drew himalayan landscapes. the second stolen piece is still missing.