The speaker's thoughts are now directed to his old parish servant, and to the old man's favourite stories of previous vicars under whom he has served.

Thus the poem ends with sketches of Parson Addle, Parson Peele, Dr.Grandspear and others--among them the "Author-Rector," intended (the younger Crabbe thought) as a portrait of the poet himself.

Finally Crabbe could not resist the temptation to include a young parson, "a youth from Cambridge," who has imbibed some extreme notions of the school of Simeon, and who is shown as fearful on his death-bed lest he should have been guilty of too many good works.

He appeals to his old clerk on the subject:-- "'My alms-deeds all, and every deed I've done, My moral-rags defile me every one; It should not be:--what say'st thou! Tell me, Ralph.' 'Quoth I, your Reverence, I believe you're safe; Your faith's your prop, nor have you pass'd such time In life's good works as swell them to a crime.
If I of pardon for my sins were sure, About my goodness I would rest secure.'" The volume containing _The Parish Register, The Village_, and others, appeared in the autumn of 1807; and Crabbe's general acceptance as a poet of mark dates from that year.

Four editions were issued by Mr.
Hatchard during the following year and a half--the fourth appearing in March 1809.