Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/85

 DERMODY. 81 a boarder in a comfortable and commodious house in Grafton-street; and here it was the early depravity of his disposition began to evince itself; as he would often re hinquish the invitations of his friends and patrons, for the society of depraved and vicious characters; and it was his misfortune at a meeting of this kind to become ac quainted with one Martin, a drawing master. This person knowing Dermody's influence with Mr. Austin, and wish ing to get the business of his academy, persuaded him to shew that gentleman the drawing of a flower, which he (Dermody) should say was done by himself, after receiving only three lessons. This he unhesitatingly agreed to, and immediately exhibited the flower, urging at the same time the recommendation as he had been desired. The stratagem thus daringly formed, carried i t s own failure along with i t , for i t was utterly impossible the most ready genius could execute a drawing i n the same style within the period o f instruction that h e had specified. Mr. Aus tin, o n seeing the flower, and hearing his story, instantly accused him o f duplicity, and Dermody denied the charge; a t last, however, h e was desired t o s i t down and make a copy o f the drawing, when t o his disgrace the deception became evident. He was immediately ordered from the parlour t o the kitchen, where, for a considerable time, h e was kept i n disgrace: t o give vent t o his feelings, h e satirized his benefactors, and the lines were brought b y his prying landlord t o Mr. Austin, who immediately destroyed the poems h e had collected for publication, returned the subscribers the money h e had received from them for . Dermody's support, and turned him out once more upon the world, friendless and forsaken. He con tinued t o exist for some time o n newspaper drudgery, and, by the interest o f a Mr. Berwick, h e was noticed, adopted, and patronized b y the Dowager Countess o f Moira, and a t her expense was furnished with a l l suitable necessaries, and placed under the care o f the learned and reverend Mr. Boyd", a t Killeigh. I n this situation h e The celebrated translator of Dante. WO L. i . i . - G