[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...

JAMIE TAMSON.
formation of this corps, which Thomson had the honour of commanding,
he evinced considerable activity. The musical instruments and
di-esses of the band were purchased at his own expense, and he made
many other sacrifices in the cause for which they were embodied.
About the same time, he received an order from the Duke of Kent,
authorizing him to enlist local troops. This order he obeyed ; and,
as we have been told, paid two pounds sterling of bounty to each
man from his own purse, until he had expended a great part of his
fortune. Whether he intended the money thus laid out as a gift to
his country, we have not been informed ;
at all events, it was never
returned to him; and the consequence was, that his own private
affairs began to assume an alarming appearance. His friends and
relations, perceiving this, frequently cautioned him that he would one
day or other involve himself in utter ruin by such folly ; and his
brother, who was a partner with him in trade, fearing he might be
entangled vpith his creditors, suddenly withdi'ew his name from the
company. These circumstances, and some family disputes which occurred
about this time, induced his father to dispose of the tan-yard.
Our author then repaired to Edinburgh, where he was some time
employed in writing for a periodical work, published imder the title of
the " Scottish Review."
After being about one year in Edinburgh, he
obtained a commission in the Argyleshire Militia, and embarked with
his regiment for Ix'eland ; but before he had been long in that country,
a severe malady, which had been for years gradually impairing
his health, now increased to such a height, that he found it necessary
to resign his commission. He then obtained the situation of tutor in
the family of Elliot Armstrong, Esq. of Donamon Castle, in the
He
county of Roscommon, in which capacity he acted for two years.
afterwards took up his residence in the town of Elphin—a bishop's
see in the county above mentioned—where he endeavoured, by exercise
in the open air, to improve and invigorate his shattered constitution
;
but the disease he was afflicted with, which was palsy, became
every day worse, and he returned to his native town, probably in the
expectation of deriving from his friends and relations that consolation
and support which he now so much needed.
But Kilmarnock
to him was no longer the scene of prosperity. Those who courted
his society in his days of affluence, looked on him with indifference.
His father was tottering on the brink of the grave, and soon after