The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-11 00:00:00

AN APPEAL to the PUBLIC in behalf of the
WIDOW of WILLIAM THOM, Poet of Inverury.
eoltsurrn.
Preyed Thom • Mr. John Watson
by. George Gilligan Mr. James 14. Ower
Rev. R. M'Gavin Mr. William Boyack
Dr. Arrot Mr. William Bett
Mr. James Westland Mr. James Chalmers, jun.
Patrick Watson Mr. Arthur Begg, jun.
Mr. Thomas Saunders.
TIIEASUILIII—Mr. Patrick Watson.
SECRETARY—Mr. William Boyack.
; rite Committee appointed to raise a fund for the relief of the
Widow and Family of the late William Thom, the gifted but unfor-
Lnaa_ te Poet of Inverury, beg leave briefly but earnestly to appeal to
..e Public, more especially to the Public of Scotland, ha behalf of the
tract which has been confided to them.
_Th_ a name and genius of Thom are well known and universally ac-
uZt",ledged ; many of the feeling and pathetic effusions of his muse
.'re been brought before the public, not only in a combined Corm,
lout in various periodicals. His talents attracted the attention of the
o';judges
and the Messrs. Chambers, in their Journal, have de-
ted a chapter to his autobiography, and to that favourable 'need of
praise to which they considered his merits entitled.
The life of William Thom has, indeed, combined the vicissitudes of
humble child of the Muses, having formed a scene of trials and dis-
tPpOintruents, accompanied by an overflowing share of poverty and
•strees •
oftanY of his earliest and best years were passed at the Ilawkhill
Dundee—the remembrance of which seemed deeply impressed on
to mind ; for thither, to use his own emphatic language, he wished
1119
return, like a bird that flutters round her forsaken nest, to spend
after days in comparative
peace and quiet.
wishes were fulfilled, for not many months ago he did return
his wanderings, debilitated and impoverished, and breathed his
last on Monday, the 28th of February. He has left a widow and three
~utfan. t children, the Youngest but five months old, totally unprovided
and it has therefore been resolved to raise a fund, in order, if
Cillainbale, to afford them permanent assistance. A Committee has
read. appointed, who have cheerfully undertaken this duty, and al-
they are happy to announce that their call has been respondreed,
Prompt and liberal manner Lord Kninaird, Lord Jtff
?,14e_airs• Deuglas Jerrold and Robert Chambers, and many others,
coped that sent their contributions ; and it is earnestly
oin.that the charitable and the admirers of native genius and un•
thnusive merit will support and encourage the laudable object which
--..st,oratriittee have in view.
Dundee, March 10, 1848.
• t_extributions will be received by any of the Members of Commit-
.. !; Booksellers,
at the shops of Messrs. Chalmers, Shaw, and Middleton,
and Mr. Mills, Perfemer, Dundee.
DEATH OF WILLIAM THOM, THE INVERURT POET.
(To the Editor of the "Dundee Courier.")

Sir
announcing to
,---The painful task has been deputed to me of
- iiiiiK;, February 29, 1848.
the public the death of William Thom, the Inverury poet. For
!ore, time past he had been in delicate and declining healt
u,neaenrd. . it's diseased state of body was doubtless aggravated by the
of his
11101'4 of his circumstances, and the consequent anguish
nourable and sensitive mind. Yesterday, in our city, at half-
Paat eleven Aat.
sornethl ,he departed this life. He has left behind himn
},_ ng more than a name—some true and beautitul s.trlal
not.
..._W",G. " a thing of beauty is a joy for ever," the world 'al
in
the sutler, like the inscription on the coffin, to be buried.t e tomb. He has left behind him, alas! something ofe
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
l'!"Months old, These are " utterly destitute," and but for the kind-
of one or two private friends, might have been cast out ere
,i.its to the charity of the streets. I make no appeal in behalf of
Hatt'4ePoet himself; " after life's MN' fever he sleeps well." He has
rlewhat the most troubled and tempest-tossed wanderer will at
inndu?, and'whlch to him was peculiarly grateful—rest. Nor willt
which g:ror press anY vindictive feelings as to the treatment.
Poetic u„,:ceived vvhile yet alive. A true poet, he met with truly
on itican.:, 'orne Was caressed, but not fed ; as if one col. sup
yeara : But las
if
one
destitute I .
every one avrTillY.
would bespeak
Public dinner could keep a man alive f forhis
general sympathy in behalf o
lyrics, or from° thhas derived
°lunation,or true by some Pleasure from the departed poe 's°
I w"ld implore every lover of literaturet—
and their gratitudee "We story of his life—to prove their plessur
him at our lateears; I vvould call especially upon those who saw
n those it
given forth I
far ou rior to the more substantial evidence than ext.;
NV att Festivaland heard almost his latest breath
us deeds sense f•C
generoPe rief, brokden', thrilling accents—accents how
measur f rhetoric—to testify by
C the
2ft
ontsliat ought to be lost.
_ 0 Priatldg° (heireeting fir the last time.
is 0 the above effect either I itdh and hetaitnne.has
of melancholy that theirs was
n eed, nob been lost. Intima.
others to Douglas have een,
Lord Jeffrey, and
1., B,
a, DundeehaslJerrold,d Charlestit Dickens,
~let, US follow the start we havee acciden,allY
or are immediately to be,
honour of containing his death-
Zt, strenuous effortii in behalf of his widow and his fatherless
sgained by instant,
... 8, Perftuner, have
ugm,ri• Chalmers Middleton, and Shaw, Booksellers, arid Mr
The, sal
, , allest sums will be welcomed
kindly undertaken to receive donations.
I sin, Sir, yours truly.
The last verses • written shortly before
h!! death :-- of the late William Thom,
GEORGE GILFILLAN.

SONG OF THE DWELLERS IN DEAN VALE.
Tune—" Miller o' Dee."
While we laugh and sing, in this happy rMg,
With a bright and a brotherly glee,
MAY we never forget that the sun hath set
Oa the homes of misery.
For oh ! it may be that this chill night wind
Sweeps round some tireless hearth,
Freezing the heart of the homeless one,
r With never a friend en earth.
Then aye, as we sing, may we closerclinl, ,
In our bright and brotherly glee ;
Yet never forget that the sun may set
Or the homes of Misery.
( Iran 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.
?Tow winter rides mad in his carriage of snow,
With his pelting rain and his hail ;
May it never be said that hunger and wee
Held abiding in bonny Dean Vale.
.' •
i.
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 misery.

W. TIIOM.

LAW .LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY,
FLEET-STREET, LONDON.
May 8, 1848.
Notice is hereby given, that a Seial General Meeting of the
'robrietors of this Society will be helpdc at their Office, Fleet-street,
4)4 Feiner, the 2d day of duce next, at Twelve o'clock at Noon
Dreelsely for the purpose of declaring a Division of the Surplus of the
Astiurance Fund of the Society.

And notice is hereby further given, that a Second Special General
ueeting will•be held • at the like hour and•place, on the following
FILIDAY, the 9th day of.l tine, for the purpose of confirming the reso-
lution which shall have been' agreed to 'at such' first Meeting, in pur-
Ittiance of the provisions contained in the Deed of Settlement.
And notice Is hereby, flintier .given,.that any person who shall have
keen assured by the Society for two whole years may, on the pro-
duction of 'kis Policy and of the last Receipt for the Premium thereon,
It Present at. such Meeting. •
The Chair will be taken at Twelve o'clock precisely at each of the
'WI Meetings.
By order of the Directors,
WILLIAM SAMUEL DOWNES, Actuary.

tHE NORWICH UNION REVERSIONARY
INTEREST COMPANY.
the lictt
:c hi hereby given, that the HALF-YEARLY DIVIDEND at
(1i1;',4,,Le of FOUR-AND-A-HALF PER CENT. (clear of Income-tax),
or „rlh April last, is now in COURLIE of PAYMENT at the Office
ColltPany.

21, Lincoln', Inn-fields, May 10, 1848

HY. NORRIS, Secretary.

CITY LONDON LIFE ASSURANCE
--,3ETT; for Accumulative and General Assurances.
2, Royal Exchange-buildings.
G. J. FARRANCE, Actuary.
EDWARD F. LEEKS, Secretiry.

II A C E S,