BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 5
how much was “ to pay,”-“ Whe, gentlemen, let me see,” he would say, casting
an eye towards the shelf; “nine bottles (or whatever the number might be) ;
ye’ve dune no amiss the nicht.” John was frequently puzzled, however, by the
company placing some of the bottles under the thble, or otherwise concealing
them ; yet he never expressed any displeasure at such jokes.
Mr. Dowie ultimately scraped together a fortune of about six thousand
pounds. He lived’till 1817 ; and to the last continued to wear a cocked hat
-the honoured badge of former times-although he latterly dispensed with
the use of knee and shoe buckles. He was twice married, and had several
children by his first wife. His son entered the army, and attained the rank of
Captain.
The successor of Johnnie Dowie continued to keep the house open, under
the designation of “Burns’s Tavern,” until the demolition of the Wynd in 1834.
The premises had been considerably repaired and improved, and were lighted
with gas. The little room called the c@m, in which Burns used to sit, was
covered with green cloth, and fitted up with a new table.
No. CLXXII.
COLIN CAMPBELL, ESQ. OB’ KILBERRY,
ARGYLESHIRE.
IN his earlier years this antiquated beau had been in the army, where he
acquired an unenviable notoriety in consequence of a fatal assault committed
by him on a brother officer, Captain John Macharg (eldest son of James
Macharg of Keirs), while stationed at the Island of Martinico, in the year 1763.
Campbell was then Major-Commandant of the 100th Regiment of Foot. The
cause of difference is said to have originated at Jersey, where the corps lay prior
to their embarkation for Martinico, and to have been owing to pecuniary dificulties,
in which Captain Macharg had involved himself, and which were so
formidable that Major Campbell, by the advice of his superior officer, was
compelled to take the payment of his company entirely out of his hands-a proceeding
which gave great offence to Macharg.
Upon the arrival of the regiment in Martinico, Captain Macharg is reported
to have taken every opportunity of vilifying the Major, which procedure having
reached the ears of the latter, he was naturally very much provoked, and immediately
despatched the following card to his defamer :-
“SIB,-~ am this moment informed that, on some occasions since our arrival here, you have
taken liberties with my character, unbecoming a gentleman. I desire an immediate and explicit
answer, per bearer ; and am, t i i then, your humble servant, c. CAMPBELL.”