The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-02 00:00:00

AN APPEAL to the
WIDOW of WILLIAM
COMM'

Provost Thorns
Rev. George Giltillan
Rev. J. R. M'Gavin
Dr. Arrot
Mr. J W

Mr. John Watson
Mr. James It Ower
Mr. William Boyack
Mr. William Bett
..,. James Westland Mr. James Chalmers, jun.
Mr. Patrick Watson Mr. Arthur Bcgg, jun.
Mr. Thomas Saunders.
TREASURER-31r. Patrick Watson.
SECILETARY—Mr. William Boyack.
The Committee appointed to raise a fund for the relief of the
Widow and Family of the late William Thom, the gifted but unfor-
tunate Poet of Inverury, b,g leave briefly but earnestly to appeal to
the Public, more especially to the Public of Scotland, is behalf of the
trust which has been confided to them.
The name and genius of Thom are well known and universally ac-
knowledged ; many of the feeling and pathetic effusions of his muse
have been brought before the public, not only in a combined form,
but in various periodicals. Ills talents attracted the attention of the
ablest judges ; and the Messrs. Chambers, in their Journal, have de-
voted a chapter to his autobiography, and to that favourable weed of
praise to which they considered his merits entitled.
The life of William Thom has, indeed, combined the vicissitudes of
a humble child of the Muses, having formed a scene of trials and dis-
appointments, accompanied by an overflowing share of poverty and
distress.
Many of his earliest and best years were passed at the liawkhill
of Dundee—the remembrance of which seemed deeply impressed on
his mind ; for thither, to use his own emphatic language, he wished
to return, like a bird that flutters round her forsaken nest, to spend
his latter days in comparative peace and quiet.
Ills wishes were-fulfilled, for not many months ago he did return
front his wanderings, debilitated and impoverished, and breathed his
last on Monday, the 28th of February. Ile has left a widow and three
infant children, the youngest but live mouths old, totally unprovided
for ; and it has therefore been resolved to raise a fund, in order, if
possible, to afford them permanent assistance. A Committee has
been appointed, who have cheerfully undertaken this duty, and al-
ready they are happy to announce that their call has been responded
to in a prompt and liberal manner. Lord Kinnaird, Lord Jeffrey,
Messrs. Douglas Jerrold and Robert Chambers, and many others,
have spontaneously sent their contributions ; and it Is earnestly
hoped that the charitable and the admirers of native genius and un-
obtrusive merit will support and encourage the laudable object which
the Committee have in view.
Dundee, March 10, 1848.

Contributions will be received by any of the Members of Commit-
tee ; and at the shops of Messrs. Chalmers, Shaw, and Middleton,
Booksellers, and Mr. Mills, Perfumer, Dundee.
DEATH OF WILLIAM THOM, THE INVERURY POET.
(To the Editor of the "Dundee Courier.")
Dundee, February 29, 1848.
Sir,—The painful task has been dliputed to me of announcing to
the public the death of William Thom, the Inverury poet. For
some time past he had been in delicate and declining health ; and
his diseased state of body was doubtless aggravated by the uncer-
tainty of his circumstances, and the consequent anguish of his
honourable and sensitive mind. Yesterday, in our city, at half-
past eleven A.M., he departed this lile. Ile has left behind him
something more than a name—some true and beautitul strains.
which, as " a thing of beauty is a joy for ever," the world will not
willingly suffer, like the inscription on the coffin, to Ile buried in
the tomb. Ile has left behind him, alas! something of yet ten-
derer and more mournful interest—a widow and three children,
th 7 eldest of whom is only four years, and the youngest but a few
months old. These are " utterly destitute," and but for the kind-
ness of one or two private friends, might have been cast out ere
this to the charity of the streets. I make no appeal in behalf of
the poet himself; " after life's fitful fever be sleeps well." He has
found what the most troubled and tempest-tossed wanderer will at
last find, and which to him was peculiarly grateful—rest. Nor will
I indulge or express any vindictive feelings as to the treatment
which he received while yet alive. A true poet, he met with truly
poetic usage. Ile was caressed, but not fed ; as if one could sup
on incense, or as if one public dinner could keep a man alive for
years But I would bespeak general sympathy in behalf of his
destitute family. I would implore every lover of literature—
every one who has derived pleasure from the departed poet's
lyrics, or from the simple story of his life—to prove their pleasure
and their gratitude true by some more substantial evidence than ex-
clamations or tears. I would call especially upon those who saw
him at our late Watt Festival, and heard almost his latest breath
given forth in those brief, broken, but thrilling accents—accents how
far superior to the measured cadences of rhetoric—to testify by
generous deeds their sense of melancholy satisfaction that theirs was
the privilege of meeting with and hearing him for the last time.
No time ought to be lost. Indeed, no time has been lost. Intima-
tions to the above effect either have been, or are immediately to be,
dispatched to Douglas Jerrold, Charles Dickens, Lord Jeffrey, and
others. But as Dundee has had the honour of containing his death-
bed, let us follow the start we have acciden,ally gained by instant,
active, strenuous efforts in behalf of his widow and his fatherless
balms.

Messrs. Chalmers, Middleton, an,l Shaw, Booksellers, and Mr
Mills, Perfumer, have kindly undertaken to receive donations.
The smallest sums will be welcomed

I am, Sir, yours truly,
GEORGE GILFILLAN.
The last verses of the late William Thom, written shortly before
his death :

SONG OF THE DWELLERS IN DEAN VALE.
Tune—" Miller o' Dee."
While we laugh aid sing, in this happy ring,
With a bright and a brotherly glee,
May we never forget that the sun bath set
On the homes of misery.
For oh it may be that this chill night wind
Sweeps round some fireless hearth,
Freezing the heart of the homeless one,
With never a friend on earth.
Then aye, as we sing, may we closercling,
In our bright aid brotherly glee ;
Yet never forget that the sun may set
On the homes of misery.
Man was not made for this world alone,
The world was lent to man ;
"Ils a debt we owe to Heaven, you know
Then pay it as well as you can.
Now winter rides mad in his carriage of snow,
With his pelting rain and his hail;
May it never be said that hunger and woe
Held abiding in bonny Dean. Vale.

Them ayo, as we sing, may we closer cling,
In our bright and brotherly glee,
And never forget that the sun may set
On the homes of misery.

W. THOM.

BRITISH & FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.
The Forty-third General Meeting of this Society, held in pur-
suance of Rule VII., to receive the Report of the Committee, and the
Treasurer's Financial Statement, and to affect the Officers and Com-
mittee for the year ensuing, will take place at the Society's House,
Borough-road, on Friday, May 5, 1848, at One o'clock precisely.
Members. and Life Governors may obtain Tickets (not transfer-
able) on application to the Secretary, at the Institution.

PUBLIC MEETING IN EXETER-HALL.
The General Meeting of the Subscribers and Friends will be held as
usual in Exeter Hall, Strand, on MONDAY, May 8, 1848.
The Chair will be taken by the Right Hon. Viscount MORPETU,
M.P., and V.P., at Twelve o'clock precisely.

Platform Tickets (not transferable) will be issued to the Secretaries
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Tickets for the Body of the Rail may be had as heretofore, of
Messrs. Yorke Clarke, and Co., 55, Gracechurch-street ; Messrs.
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row ; Mr. Davis, Sunday School Union Depository, 60, Paternoster-
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Society's House, Borough-road.

_
lIEN'RY DUNN, Secretary.
* " Every person subscribing annually One Guinea and upwards
shall be deemed a Member of this Institution during the continuance
of such subscription."—(Rule v.)

ACQUITTAL OF THE SEVEN BISPOPS.
The Rev. HUGH STOWELL, M.A., Honorary Canon of
Chester, will deliver a HISTORICAL LEcTURE in Exeter-hall,
on MONDAY EYZNING, the Bth of May, at Seven o'clock precisely, on
the ACQUITTAL OF THE SEVEN BISHOPS.
This important Protestant Subject will be illustrated by the cele-
brated Picture, painted by J. It. Herbert, Esq., N.A.
Admission to the Platform, Gallery, and Reserved Seats, One
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_ _

Tickets may he had at the following places :—Messrs. Seeley and
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The procehds to be given to the Funds of the Protestant Associa.
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ROYAL ACADEMY of ARTS,
TRAFALGAR-SQUARE.
The EXHIBITION of the ROYAL ACADEMY is now orEN.
Admission (from Eight o'clock till Seven) One Shilling.
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JOIN PRESCOTT KNIGHT, KA., Sec.

COSMORAMA.—DIORAMIC and PANORA-
MIC EXHIBITION-209, REGENT-STREET.
JUST OPENED, with the following attractive and splendid
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PUBLICATIONS.

EGYPT AND THE HOLY LAND.
MNow ready, iu 3 vols., price 31s. Gd. cloth,
ISS MARTINEAU'S EASTERN LIFE,
PRESENT PAST.
l" One of the most substantial and interesting productions of recent
seasons."--4,thenseum.