THE ETYMOLOGY OF " MINIATURE."
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In the article on " The Exhibition of Miniatures at the Burlington Fine Arts Club," in the Spectator of April 20th, there is the following sentence :—" Perhaps it may be said that one should not mention this artist before all others, omitting earlier and indubitably successful painters in little," from which it would appear as if the writer supposed that there is some etymological connection between " minia- ture " and " minute." This is not so, however ; but, as a reference to any Italian dictionary will show, the term is derived from miniare, to paint in vermilion (minio), in which colour the earliest examples of the art were executed.—I am, Sir, &c.,
9 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, April 20th. J. M. RIGG.
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