Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
Andrew Stewart to Walter Scott, 20 January 1809
“Edinburgh Tolbooth, 20th January, 1809.
“Sir,
“Although I am a stranger to you, yet I am not to
your works, which I have read and admired, and which will continue to be read
and admired as long as there remains a taste for true excellence. Previous to
committing the crime for which I am now convicted, I composed several poems in
the Scottish dialect, which I herewith send for your perusal, and humbly hope
you will listen to my tale of misery. I have been a truly unfortunate follower
of the Muses. I was born in Edinburgh, of poor, but honest parents. My father
is by trade a bookbinder, and my mother dying in 1798, he was left a widower,
with five small children, who have all been brought up by his own industry. As
soon as I was fit for a trade, he bound me apprentice to a tailor in Edinburgh,
but owing to his using me badly, I went to law. The consequence was, I got up
my indentures after being only two years in his service. To my father’s
trade I have to ascribe my first attachment to the Muses. I perused with
delight the books that came in the way; and the effusions of the poets of my
country I read with rapture. I now formed the resolution of not binding myself
to a trade again, as by that means I might get my propensity for reading
followed. I acted as clerk to different people, and my character was
irreproachable. I determined to settle in life, and for that purpose I married
a young woman I formed a strong attachment to. Being out of employment these
last nine months, I suffered all the hardships of want, and saw
‘Poverty with empty hand, And eager look, half-naked stand.’— Fergusson.
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Reduced to this miserable situation, with my wife ![]()
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almost starving, and having no friends to render
me the smallest assistance, I resided in a furnished room till I was unable to
pay the rent, and then I was literally turned out of doors, like poor Dermody, in poverty and rags. Having no kind
hand stretched out to help me, I associated with company of very loose manners,
till then strangers to me, and by them I was led to commit the crime I am
condemned to suffer for. But my mind is so agitated, I can scarce narrate my
tale of misery. My age is only twenty-three, and to all appearance will be cut
off in the prime. I was tried along with my brother, Robert
Stewart, and John M’Intyre, for
breaking into the workshop of Peter More, calico-glazer,
Edinburgh, and received the dreadful sentence to be executed on the 22d of
February next. We have no friends to apply to for Royal Mercy. If I had any
kind friend to mention my case to my Lord Justice-Clerk, perhaps I might get my
sentence mitigated. You will see my poems are of the humorous cast. Alas! it is
now the contrary. I remain your unfortunate humble servant,
Thomas Dermody (1775-1802)
Prolific Irish poet whose early promise a child prodigy went unfulfilled; after the
publication of James Grant Raymond's 1806 biography he became a type of the wastrel
bard.
Robert Fergusson (1750-1774)
Scottish poet renowned for his Scots verse first published in the
Weekly Magazine; he was memorialized by Robert Burns.
Andrew Stewart (1786 c.-1809 fl.)
Edinburgh tailor and poet convicted with his brother Robert and one other of robbing
Peter More, calico glazer in Edinburgh. Walter Scott arranged for his sentence to be
reduced to transportation.
