But, apart from the family pride in him, and that of Miss Elmy and other friends at Parham, Crabbe's reception by his former friends and neighbours in Aldeburgh was not of the kind he might have hoped to receive.

He had left the place less than three years before, a half-trained and unappreciated practitioner in physic, to seek his fortune among strangers in London, with the forlornest hopes of success.

Jealousy of his elevated position and improved fortunes set in with much severity.

On the other hand, it was more than many could tolerate that the hedge-apothecary of old should be empowered to hold forth in a pulpit.

Crabbe himself in later life admitted to his children that his treatment at the hands of his fellow-townsmen was markedly unkind.