Probably other tales, not referred to by Crabbe or his son, were also encountered by the poet in his intercourse with his parishioners, or submitted to him by his friends.

We might infer this from the singular inequality, in interest and poetical opportunity, of the various plots of these stories.

Some of them are assuredly not such as any poet would have sat down and elaborated for himself, and it is strange how little sense Crabbe seems to have possessed as to which were worth treating, or could even admit of artistic treatment at all.

A striking instance is afforded by the strange and most unpleasing history, entitled _Lady Barbara: or, The Ghost_.
The story is as follows: A young and beautiful lady marries early a gentleman of good family who dies within a year of their marriage.

In spite of many proposals she resolves to remain a widow; and for the sake of congenial society and occupation, she finds a home in the family of a pious clergyman, where she devotes herself to his young children, and makes herself useful in the parish.