d-d to Mr Nerli.
But still an' on whichever it be, he is a canty kerlie,
The Lord protect the back an' neck o' honest Mr Nerli.

Mr Hammerton gives this account of the Nerli portrait:

"The history of the Nerli portrait is peculiar. After being exhibited
for some time in New Zealand it was bought, in the course of this
year, by a lady who was travelling there, for a hundred guineas. She
then offered it for that sum to the Scottish National Portrait
Gallery; but the Trustees of the Board of Manufactures--that oddly
named body to which is entrusted the fostering care of Art in
Scotland, and, in consequence, the superintendence of the National
Portrait Gallery--did not see their way to accept the offer. Some
surprise has been expressed at the action of the Trustees in thus
declining to avail themselves of the opportunity of obtaining the
portrait of one of the most distinguished Scotsmen of recent times. It
can hardly have been for want of money, for though the funds at their
disposal for the purchase of ordinary works of art are but limited, no
longer ago than last year they were the recipients of a very handsome
legacy from the late Mr J. M. Gray, the accomplished and much lamented
Curator of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery--a legacy left them
for the express purpose of acquiring portraits of distinguished
Scotsmen, and the income of which was amply sufficient to have enabled
them to purchase this portrait. One is therefore almost shut up to
the conclusion that the Trustees were influenced in their decision by
one of the two following reasons:

"1. That they did not consider Stevenson worthy of a place in the
gallery. This is a position so incomprehensible and so utterly
opposed to public sentiment that one can hardly credit it having been
the cause of this refusal. Whatever may be the place which Stevenson
may ultimately take as an author, and however opinions may differ as
to the merits of his work, no one can deny that he was one of the most
popular writers of his day, and that as a mere master of style, if for
nothing else, his works will be read so long as there are students of
English Literature. Surely the portrait of one for whom such a claim
may legitimately be made cannot be considered altogether unworthy of a
place in the National Collection, as one of Scotland's most
distinguished sons.