conduct a deviation from propriety. The tenderness and humanity of that gentle man, however, always triumphed over his resentment: and he generously concealed Dermody's foibles from his patroness; and, in the hope of his future amendment, related to her only his good qualities. This kindness had for a considerable time the desired effect; it gave a curb to his licentious conduct, and made him often emulous and endearing. Lady Moira too augmented her favours: she grew attached to her adopted minstrel, and honoured him with her correspondence during the whole period of his residence with Mr. Boyd.

His acquirements in this time were as conspicuous and extraordinary as his genius and eccentricities; but while his talents placed him on an eminence among the great and learned, his corrupted qualities sunk him to the low but sociable frequenter of a country alehouse. He had, however, the art long to satisfy his benefactress: as

will appear from some extracts and interesting correspondence here subjoined; which at once prove how lamentable was his folly, how grateful and industrious was his Muse, how splendid his genius, and how great his knowledge of human nature. Those who can appreciate with candour the faculties of the mind, and contemplate with sensibility the misfortunes of life, will value these fragments as literary wonders, and memorials of premature greatness.

The following dramatic pastoral was Dermody's first offering to the countess of Moira.

To the Right Hon. the Countess of Moira.

"MADAM,

"I HOPE you entertain so kind an opinion of my heart, as to think this intrusion not intended merely as a common dedication, but as a fervent though a humble and unadorned monument of my gratitude. The

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your

protection which I have received from ladyship, has cherished any spark of poetic heat originally existing in my breast; and has enabled me also to correct the little effusions of my Muse by a true course of classic studies, and a strict attention to the venerable admonitions of the ancients. Then to whom could I inscribe the following trifle with more justice, than to you? who, though in the most exalted sphere of life, have stooped to peruse the first attempts of a puerile and unenlightened fancy, and have generously persevered in sheltering the life of the author against the clouds of malice and the snares of revenge.

"I am, with the most sincere gratitude, your ladyship's obliged and humble servant,

"THOMAS DERMODY."

Killeigh, 11th April, 1790."

"WHY has thy hast'ning step so soon outgone The journeying sun? for scarce the russet lark From his dark wing has shook the morning dew; Or from her velvet bed, with mellowing note, The blackbird blithe has hail'd the vernal dawn. Say, does the pang of unrequited love, With tingling venom, lead thy early step To solitude and weeping? or the shade Of yon embow'ring grove, that wildly flings Its ripe luxuriance to the potent hand Of Pallas and the bosom-wreathed queen ? Or does yon blue-ey'd Naiad thus entice Thy musing saunter to her crisped stream: Among her daisy-fringed walks to rove, And tell her willow'd bank thy tender tale While sportive Echo strains the mimic sound And swells thy ditty with a deeper woe?

THYRSIS.

"Euphranor, canst thou think such friv'lous dream
Could lull my sense, in finer feelings wrapt
Of heav'nly gratitude? Or dost thou ween
That Comus, with his wanton witcheries,
And syren Pleasure, so absorb my thought
As thus to baffle Wisdom's sev'nfold shield,
And mock the heav'nly-temper'd spear

Of star-crown'd Truth, and manly Reason bland?
No; 't is a cherub, from her sapphire throne
Of fleecy clouds, that becks me to the sky,
Unfolding Heav'n's high-finish'd valves
Of crystal masonry. 'Tis Virtue calls,
Persuasive nymph! and from her lucid rays
Lends one pure beam to my unsullied breast,
And, lo! the foremost in her train divine,
Blest Gratitude advances: from her eye
Beams fervent friendship; and her modest hand,
Meekly unfolded on her panting breast,
Confesses something more than mortal. Hark!
The silver-chorded lyre, celestial-strung,
Pours harmony along the melting air,

And angels drink the sound. Such minstrelsy
Would ill befit belated revel-rout;

Or wassail wild, with vice unholy knit.

In fell alliance. 'Tis the virtuous meed
Of men ennobled by their own great deeds,
That still accompanies the warmth sincere