Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/81

DERMODY. 77 imbibed a love for drinking and i t s concomitant vices. From Ennis h e removed t o Galway, where h e established a seminary; but not being s o successful a s before, h e once more returned t o Ennis, where for many years h e struggled with great difficulties; but that h e was not wholly inat tentive t o the education o f his son, may readily b e ima gined from the circumstance o f placing him a s Greek and Latin assistant i n his school, when h e had only attained his ninth year. A twelvemonth after, h e commenced writing poetry, which art h e acquired with great facility; and i n a monody, entitled, “Corydon,” i n which h e laments the death o f his brother, h e fully establishes his claim t o rank a s a poet o f great original genius. On the death o f this beloved brother, which happened about the close o f the year 1785, h e formed the rash determination o f quitting his home, which design was frustrated b y the death of his mother. To endeavour t o efface the recol lection o f this mournful event, a Mr. Hickman, a gentle man o f great liberality, and who esteemed Dermody's talents a s a man o f literary attainments and a teacher, gave him and his son a n invitation t o his house a t Newpark, which they accepted; and i n this asylum o f hospitality, young Dermody formed the plan, which h e soon after executed, o f flying from poverty, and viewing that epitome o f the world—Dublin. Accordingly, without informing any one o f his intention, with only a couple o f shillings, the second volume o f Tom Jones, (which h e has often declared determined him o n this adventure,) and a single change o f linen i n his pocket, h e bade adieu t o the house for ever, and launched boldly and fearlessly into the ocean o f life. He strayed on, h e knew not whither, with his senses bewildered i n contemplating the various plea sures o f the capital h e was about t o visit, till a t length, looking around him, h e perceived h e had lost his way. This accident, however, f a r from discouraging him, h e looked upon a s a favourable interposition o f Providence, and after the pause o f a few minutes, h e decisively took the road that lay before him, and casting a last, though not a I