132 TllANSACTlONS. 



and chanictoristic lieadilre^js. In Paterson's beautiful edition of 

 Burns two silhouette portraits of Clarinda are given. One of them, 

 which also appears in Cxilfillan's edition, represents hor at an 

 advanced stage of life. It shows a headdress even more full and 

 of a different texture than our miniature does, but the facial lines 

 of the one resemble those of the other in a marked degree. The 

 other portrait is a fine engraving by Banks, from the original 

 picture in the collection of the late J. T. Gibson Craig. It is 

 larger than the one just described, being two inches and a half 

 high. The face shown differs somewhat as compared with the 

 later portrait, and there are other points of diversity between 

 them. The profile of the miniature partakes of both these por- 

 traits, while iu other respects, such as the headdress, the form and 

 dressing of the shoulder and breast, and the terminating lines of 

 the bust, there is such close correspondence between it and the 

 Gibson Craig portrait as to suggest that, not only do they represent 

 the same person, but that in respect of date and origin they are 

 closely allied. That they are by the same artist may be assumed 

 — Miers, whom Burns calls a " profile painter," and who, at his 

 request, executed portraits of several other friends. A very inter- 

 esting question arises as to which of these j^ictures possesses the 

 highest claim to be considered the portrait of the Clarinda corres- 

 pondence. Their relative dimensions seem to bear on the point, 

 and in favour of our miniature. Clarinda, before going to the 

 artist, enquired of Burns what size the portrait should be, who 

 replied that it was for a breast pin— a purpose this miniature 

 seems to fit in with exactly, and its history is confirmatory of its 

 having been so applied. In this view it is one of the most expres- 

 sive relics of Scotland's great bard extant ; lie wore it next his 

 heart. In Paterson's volume, opposite the Gibson Craig portrait, 

 appear the following sentences from the Clarinda letters — the 

 miniature seems to echo the words ; — 



Thursday, noon, Feby. 7, 1788. 

 Clarinda — " I shall go to-morrow forenoon to Miers alone. What .size 

 do yow want it about ? 0, Sylvander, if you wish my peace let friendship 

 be the word between us. I tremble at more." 



Thursday night, Feb. 7, 1788. 



Sylvander — " I thank you for going to Miers. Urge him, for necessity 



calls, to have it done by the middle of next week — ^Vednesday the latest 



day. I want it for a breast pin to wear next my heart. I propose to keep 



sacred set times to wander in the woods and wilds for meditation on you. 



