The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-28 00:00:00

AN APPEAL to the
WIDOW of WILLIAM
COMMI

Provost Thorns Mr. John Watson
Rev. George GlMilan Mr. James M. Ower
Rev. J. R. 31'Gavin Mr. William Boyack
Dr. Arrot Mr. William Belt
Mr. James Westland Mr. James Chalmers, jun,
Mr. Patrick Watson . Mr. Arthur B egg, jun.
Mr. Thomas Saunders.
TREASURER—Mr. Patrick Watson.
SECRETARY—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, beg leave briefly but earnestly to appeal to
the Public, more especially to the. Public of Scotland, in 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. His 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 llawkhill
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.
His wishes were fulfilled, for not many months ago he did return
from his wanderings, debilitated ammo impoverished, and breathed his
last on Monday, the •28th or February. He has left a widow and three
infant children, the youngest but five months 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 Laid _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.
Centributloni 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 deputed 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 life. He has left behind him
something more than a name—some true and beautiful 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 be buried in
the tomb. He has left behind him, alas! something of yet ten-
derer and mere 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 he sleeps well." lle 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. He was caressed, but not fed; as if one could sup
on incense, or as 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 accidentally gained by instant,
active, strenuous efforts in behalf of his widow and his fatherless
bairns.

Messrs. Chalmers, Middleton, and 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 Thorn, written shortly before
his death:—

SONG OF THE DWELLERS IN' DEAN VALE.
Tune—" Miller o' Dee."
While we laugh and sing, in this happy ring,
With a bright and a brotherly glee,
May we never forget that the sun hath set
On the homes of misery.
For oh I 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 closer cling,
In our bright and 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 ;
'Tis a debt we owe to Heaven, you know,
Then pay it as well as you can.

Now winter rides mad in his carriage of snows
With his pelting rain and his hail;
May it never be said that hunger and woe
Held abiding in bonny Dean Vale.

Then aye, 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 mise.ry.

W. TTtOM.