190 TRANSACTIONS. 
history of this picture 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 Fraser, 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 representatives 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 Queensberry, “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 sculptor of the sleeping child in St. Michael’s Church. 
The walls bear eloquent testimony to the skill of a Dumfries artist, 
Mr J. R. Fergusson, 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 
a 
