The news fled like wild-fire over the parish, and the man got so unmercifully (yet deservedly) jeered and hooted by his fellow-workmen that he had to fly from the town. It may be added, as a curious and significant fact, that it was not the immorality of the proceeding which aroused this feeling, but “Jim — has let the parson do him out of three and sixpence, for he paid for the banns, but couldn’t get tied!” * * * * * Another anecdote which has got into print somewhat incorrectly is the following. The parish clerk was one day in attendance at a funeral in Holy Trinity Cemetery when he noticed a gentleman walking about apparently looking for something. He accosted him, and asked if he could help him in any way. The other replied, in a very cheery and brisk way: “Yes, you can; in fact I am looking for a nice sunny place for my grave. I am going to die soon, the doctors tell me, and I want to get a pleasant place to be buried in.” The clerk was somewhat astounded at the tone and manner of the visitor, but suggested various sites. One was soon selected, and in the same cheerful way the gentleman went on, striking the ground as he spoke: “Capital, just the place; here it shall be; I shall be put in here, and that will be the end of me.” The clerk responded quietly, “Are you quite sure of that, sir? for I am not.” “Yes, quite sure,” was the answer, and then a discussion ensued between the two; when it had lasted a few minutes the official said, “Well, sir, I may not be able to convince you that you are wrong, but I know my Vicar could.” “Oh, I want none of your parsons,” said the visitor; “but who _is_ your Vicar?” “The Reverend Edward Hoare, sir.” “Hoare, Edward Hoare—did he come from Hampstead?” “Yes, sir, I believe he did.” “How astonishing!” muttered the gentleman, and then speaking aloud, “Why, he and I were friends when we were boys!” Having asked the way to the vicarage that he might call upon him, the visitor went his way. The meeting between the two old boyish acquaintances was very interesting, but when the gentleman stated the circumstance of his meeting with the clerk, Mr. Hoare replied, “You have made arrangements about your body; have you been as diligent about your soul?” It soon came out that, brought up, like his old friend, as a Quaker, but without his religious advantages, he had drifted into open scepticism. Now, however, the loving, earnest words that he heard made a great impression, and he begged Mr. Hoare to come and visit him.