Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/87

 DERMODY. 83 shelter by night; surrounded, as he then was, by both poverty and famine, he still retained a great portion of playful vivacity, which he displayed in various poetical compositions, particularly in a letter addressed to the Rev. Mr. Berwick, of Moira-House, in which he requests admittance once more to that mansion of hospitality. He also sent several letters, imploring assistance from the Countess of Moira, a l l o f which were unanswered. He now commenced politician, and published a pamphlet o n the subject o f the French Revolution, entitled, “The Rights o f Justice; or, Rational Liberty;” t o which was annexed, a well-written poem, called, “The Reform.” At this time his biographer admits, that “his state became s o desperate, that h e would have undertaken t o defend o r promote any cause which promised t o afford the least im mediate supply.” His condition now became insupporta ble, and h e reflected o n i t with a poignancy, which, but for a sudden and unexpected relief, must inevitably have brought him t o a speedy dissolution. The attorney general being informed b y his bookseller, that a panegyric possessing great poetic beauties, had been addressed t o him, and printed i n the “Anthologia Hibernica,” made some inquiries relative t o the author, and obtained his address. He determined o n paying him a n immediate visit, and found him just risen. He heard his artless story, and being convinced that h e possessed true genius, in sisted o n his going i n his carriage t o dine with him. He did so; and, a s might b e conjectured, was brought back i n the carriage, not quite s o sensible a s a t his first setting out. To the honour o f the attorney-general b e i t recorded, that h e actually engaged apartments for him i n the Col lege, and promised not only t o furnish them, but t o defray the whole o f his expenses there, and allow him 30l. a-year t o enable him t o appear i n the world with respectability. Yet, incredible a s i t may appear, Dermody, i n a mysterious epistle, rejected a l l this proffered liberality, and continued t o live i n a state o f wretched obscurity, producing pieces o f poetry o f every description. I n the midst o f his dis