82 DERMODY. remained two years, during which time he greatly im proved himself in the ancient languages, and acquired a competent knowledge of French and Italian; but neither kindness nor circumstances could efface those habits of imprudence and irregularity which seemed innate, and which to the latest period of his life he sedulously culti vated. At every ale-house in the neighbourhood, where ever low company was to be found, Dermody was there. He had, however, the art long to satisfy his benefactress; but by a tissue of conduct as infamous as it was ungrate ful, he at length offended her, and was once more cast despised and friendless on the world. During his retire inent at Killeigh, he wrote odes, epitaphs, and elegies, on himself, a l l o f which contain great poetic merit. He once more returned t o Dublin, a journey which h e performed with ease and comfort, having had ten guineas given him b y his patroness, a s a last donation, when h e left Killeigh. He had not been, however, many days i n Dublin, before his finances were entirely expended, and h e applied t o his friend Mr. Owenson, who treated him with his usual hos pitality. He likewise wrote t o the bishop o f Dromore, and t o the celebrated Henry Grattan, who s o highly esti mated the talents o f Dermody, that i n his zeal t o serve him, h e introduced many passages o f a poem (enclosed b y Dermody t o him) i n a celebrated speech i n the House o f Commons, and strongly recommended i t s author t o the particular notice o f persons o f taste and fortune; and i t was likewise through the kindness o f this highly-gifted patriot, t o whom l reland stands s o deeply indebted, that Dermody was introduced t o the celebrated Henry Flood, who honoured him with his particular friendship while h e lived, and who suggested t o him a plan for composing a poem on the British constitution. I n August 1792, h e received a letter from his father, which found him a s poor and dissipated a s ever; and t o such a distressful state was h e reduced, that t o avoid the importunities o f those t o whom h e owed small sums, he wandered among the fields b y day, and sought the meanest
