lyO TUANSACTIONS. 



history of this jjicture is as amusing as the sketch itself. In 1849 

 a gentleman named Frith was in the habit of caricaturing any 

 Dumfriesian of note whom he might observe on the street, these 

 portraits being usually hung on his shop window. Among others 

 caricatured was Provost Eraser, who, being very indignant at being 

 dealt with in such a manner, threatened summary vengeance with 

 fire-arms, the result being that on the following morning the 

 sketch now on exhibition in the Society's rooms appeared on 

 Frith's window. 



The local portrait gallery has been a source of much attraction 

 to visitors. Mr Barbour, with whom this idea originated, and on 

 whom the chief work of forming the collection devolved, has 

 reason to be gratified with the success which has attended his 

 effort. In the place of honour over the mantlepiece, the Earl of 

 Mansfield, the eminent forensic lawyer and Lord Chief Justice, 

 fittingly symbolises the majesty of the law ; and grouped in the 

 same neighbourhood are rejaresentatives of some leading local 

 houses, among them the late Duke of Buccleuch — of whom there 

 is also a charming engraving as a child in a family group — the late 

 Marquis of Q,ueensberry, " the Union Duke," a caricature sketch of 

 " Old Q"; William, fifth Earl of Nithsdale, and his Countess, the 

 Lady Winifred Herbert, who so cleverly managed his escape from 

 the Tower of London. " The Admirable Crichton " typifies in his 

 own person all learning and accomplishments ; and in Charles 

 Kirkpatrick Sharpe we have a modern representative of versatile 

 genius. The most striking symbols of the county's connection 

 with art are Thorburn's early sketches and miniature portraits of 

 the late Mark Johnstone of Stonehousecroft, Maxwelltown (the 

 father of Mrs Symons) ; of the late Mr James Bogie, nurseryman 

 (one of the party who undertook the duty of removing the mortal 

 remains of Burns to the Mausoleum) ; and of the late Mr Rae, 

 farmer in Gateslack. There is also a portrait of the late Mr 

 Dunbar, the sculf>tor of the sleeping child in St. Michael's Church. 

 The walls bear eloquent testimony to the skill of a Dumfries artist, 

 Mr J. R. Eergusson, with the crayon, a department in which he 

 has acquired a just celebrity. Besides his portrait of the late Dr 

 Grierson there are hung large crayons by him of Carlyle and of 

 the late Mr M'Dowall, both excellent likenesses. And of his 

 facility in the use of oils a small painting of the late Mr John 

 Jackson, solicitor, affords a very favourable example. Near 

 to that of Dr Grierson are hung portraits of the late Sir William 



