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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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a BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Tavern” unquestionably was, in the first place, the good cheer which his house afforded ; and, secondly, his own tact and address. He was uniformly attentive and obliging ; and, whether with a “ crum 0’ tripe, a fleuk, or whitin’,” no one knew better how to please the palate of a customer.l The situation of the house tended much to recommend it ; at once retired, and yet in the proximity of the most frequented portion of the Old Town, it afforded a convenient resort for those who took “ meridians ; l7 and at night the strong ale drinkers found it the very focus of excellent cheer and good company. A graphic and somewhat humorous description‘of ‘‘ Dowie’s Tavern ” is given in some verses by Mr. Hunter of Blackness. These were originally ascribed to Burns, and as such printed in slips by “Honest John,” and circulated among his acquaintances. They afterwards were included in a short biographical notice of John himself, in the Scots Magazine for 1806, to which his portrait was prefixed. In this article the writer says-“ We have met lately with the following anonymous peem, written a good many years ago, in which the praises and merits of John are duly set forth. It is generally supposed to be the composition of Burns, who, when in tom, was a frequent visitor of Mr. Dowie ; and at any rate is a, good imitation of his manner. Such of our readers as know what it is to weet their pipes, for little wrang,’ will readily acknowledge that the picture is drawn to the life, and will probably not be displeased with this opportunity of recognising an old acquaintance :- “ JOHNNIE DOWIE’S ALE. ‘‘ A’ ye wha wis’, on e’enings lang, To meet an’ crack, and sing a sang, And weet your pipes, for little wrang, To sere Johnnie Dowie’s gang, To purse or person, There thrum a verse on. “ 0, Dowie’s ale ! thou art the thing, That gars us crack, and gars us sing, Cast by our cares, our wants a’ fling fiae us wi’ anger ; Thou e’en mak’st passion tak the wing, Or thou wilt bang ’er. “ How blest is he wha has a groat To spare upon the cheering pot ; He may look blithe aa ony Scot Gie’s a’ the like, but wi’ a coat, “ Bnt thinkna that strong ale alone Is a’ that’s kept by dainty John ; Na, na ; for in the place there’s none, Frae end to end, Fur meat can set ye better on, Than can your friend. That e’er was born : And guide frae scorn. On being asked for something to eat, Johnnie’s invariable reply was1 “Ye can get a bufed herring.”
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