132 TRANSACTIONS. 
and characteristic headdress. In Paterson’s beautiful edition of 
Burns two silhouette portraits of Clarinda are given. One of them, 
which also appears in Gilfillan’s edition, represents her 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 ina 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 in 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 pictures 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; he 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 you want it about? O, Sylvander, if you wish my peace let friendship 
be the word between us. I tremble at more.” 
Thursday night, Feb. 7, 1788. 
Sylvander—‘‘T thank you for going to Miers. Urge him, for necessity 
calls, to have it done by the middle of next week—Wednesday 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. 
