B I0 GRAP HI C AL SKETCHES. 239
hands clasped ; tattered clothes ; and with expressive countenance bemoaning
his forlorn and miserable situation ! This picture, when finished, reflected high
honour on the painter, being much admired. It was sent to the Royal Exhibition
in London, where it was also highly esteemed, and there purchased by a
gentleman of taste and fortune at a considerable price. I have often expressed
a wish to see a print from it, but never had that pleasure ; as it exhibited a
portrait of my favourite bard, which, for likeness, colouring, and expression,
might have done honour to the taste and pencil of Sir Joshua Reynolds.”
In the Prodigal’s Return, however-
another picture by Runciman-the likeness of the poet, though in a
different attitude, is said to have been strictly adhered to. From this picture
an engraving was prefixed to an edition of Fergusson’s Poems, published in
1821, with Preface and Life of the Author, by James Gray, then of the High
School, Edinburgh.
. Although the Life of Fergusson is almost the only production for which Mr.
Sommers is known, his time was much occupied by literary pursuits ; and it is
probable that the gratification of his taste in this way was inimical to the due
prosecution of business. After giving up his shop in the Parliament Square,
lie resided for some years in the land known by the name of the ‘‘ Clamshell
Turnpike ;” and latterly in the Advocate’s Close. From the following draught
of a letter in his own handwriting (found among his papers), some idea may be
formed of the circumstances in which he was then placed, and the cause to which
he attributed his want of success in trade. The paper is addressed to the Hon.
Henry Erskine, who, during the brief administration of “ All the Talents,” held
the office of Lord Advocate of Scotland :-
This painting is now lost or unattainable.
“MY LoRD,-Mthough I approach your lordship with some diffidence, yet it is at the same
time mixed with a degree of confidence, while I humbly call on you to listen to the following
short detail of facts.
“In the year 1776 I was a member of the Council of Edinburgh-a period singularly marked
for political bustle and contention, respecting the City’s then worthy representative in Parliament,
Sir Laurence Dundas. I was one of his friends, and suffered much by the combined
interest of the Duke of Buccleuch and the House of Arniston. Sir Laurence, however, justly
prevailed in the contest, but soon after died ; previous to which he procured for me the appointment
of His Majesty’s Glazier for Scotland ; but as Mr. Henry Dundas and his friends came into
the political management of the city, my interest failed ; and to this day, now thirty years, no
pecuniary advantage whatever has arisen to me from that commission (which I still hold), not
even so much as to the value of the 05cial expenses in obtaining it ! My worthy friend, Lord
Dundas, is well acquainted with these circumstances, to whom I wrote, upon the late change of
administration, soliciting his lordship’s interest in a small Crown appointment, independent of
the influence or control of the Town Council. I have not, however, been honoured with a return
from his lordship, which may probably be owing to his attention having been engaged in business
of higher importance.
‘‘My Lord, I am now sixty-four years of age ; notwithstanding of which, 1 have, from an
attachment to my country, been a Field-Sergeant in the battalion (late Spearmen) of Edinburgh
Volunteers, now commanded by my worthy friend, William Inglis, Esq., and in which corps, I
hope I have, since it was first embodied at the instance of the trades, been a constant and active
member. Although my age and state of health prevent me from being fit for active business
The engraving was shown to t.he late Robert Pitcairn, Esq., Keeper of the Register of Probative
Writs, who was well acquainted with Fegusson, but he could trace uo resemblance to the Poet.