The Campbells of Meriton

"We figure to ourselves
The thing we like, and then we build it up
As chance will have it, on the rock or sand."

"About some act,
That has no relish of salvation in it."

Upon the shores of Bute, opposite the rugged, heathery hills of Cowal,
John Campbell had built himself a splendid habitation. People going up and
Down the Kyles were in the habit of pointing out Meriton Mansion, and of
asserting that the owner had risen from extreme poverty to his enviable
position. There was not a word of truth in this story. John Campbell was
the youngest son of Campbell of Drumloch, a gentleman of ancient lineage,
and of considerable wealth. Alexander, his elder son, inherited from him
the castle of Drumloch and the lands pertaining to the name and the
estate; to his younger son John he gave a large sum of money. With this
money he opened a shipping house on the Broomilaw of Glasgow, and
gradually built a fleet of trading vessels, which traversed every known
sea. John Campbell's name had indeed become synonymous for enterprise,
wealth and commercial honor.

The tie between the brothers was always an affectionate one; and when
Alexander died early in life, he left his child and the estate in charge
of John. The estate was much embarrassed, the child was a delicate girl of
nine years. But when ten years had passed the conditions of both were
changed; Mary Campbell had grown to a sweet and charming womanhood, and
Drumloch had paid off its last shilling of mortgage, and was as desirable
an estate as could be found in the west of Scotland.