240 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
as a glazier ; yet, if your lordship’s merited influence, in concert with that of my valuable friend
Lord Dundas, would procure for me a renewal of my commission, connecting with me in said
commission, an active and prospering young man, a freeman glazier of this city, it would prove
the happy means of placing me in a situation truly comfortable in my advanced age, and tend
not only to atone for past neglect, but soothe and render the closing scene of life tranquil and
serene !
“ MY LORD,
Your lordship favouring me with an answer will be highly esteemed by,
“Edidurgh, 21st Feb. 1807.
‘‘Right Hon. HENRYE ESKINEM, .P.
“ Your lordship’s truly devoted and very humble Servant,
“T. S.”
“ Lord Advocate of Scotland, LONDON.”
Nothing beneficial appears to have resulted from this memorial, if indeed it
ever was presented. Mr. Sommers latterly obtained a situation connected with
the Convention of Royal Burghs, for which he had a salary of $40 a year. This
small sum was his chief dependence. He was also Clerk to the Incorporation of
Fleshers, for which he had a trifling allowance; and much of his time was
occupied in drawing up petitions, and otherwise assisting those who sought the
aid of his pen. Having no children, though twice married, his domestic establishment
was limited ; and to the last he maintained a degree of respectability
in his appearance. He always dressed in black ; and when his own hair failed,
wore a neatly tied and powdered wig. His house in the Advocate’s Close contained
a small apartment, lighted from above, where, even in advanced age, he
used to sit for days together, occupied in some literary project-a species of
amusement he has been often heard to declare essential to his happiness. He
contemplated several extensive works. The last of these was a History of the
Improvements of Edinburgh. Proposals for this work-of which the following
is a copy-were issued in 18 16 :-
“ Soon will be published, in one. Yolume Octavo, in hoards, Price 7s.
THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM SRBUTHNOT, LORD PROVOST, MAGISTRATES,
AND COUNCIL,
DEDICATED TO
A
RETROSPECT
OF THE
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND THE OTHER EXTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS,
OF
THE CITY OF EDINBURGH,
From the 14th of Scptentber 1753, to the 9th July 1816, inclusive;
SIXTY-THREE YEARS PERSONAL OBSERVATION :
RELIGIOUS, MORAL, AND POLITICAL CHARACTER OF ITS INHABITANTS ;
A VIEW OF THEIR MANNERS DURING THAT PERIOD.
ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS AT LARGE.
THOMAS SOMMERS,
Bwrgess ami Fretmum of Edinburgh, and dIis Maje-sty78 Glmier for Xcotland.”
BEING THE RESULT OF
WITE OCCASIOKAL REMARKS, NOT ONLY ON THESE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT ON THE
AND
CONCLUDING WITH A WARM, SEASONABLE, ARD AFFECTIONATE
BY