Crabbe had of late studied human nature in books as well as in life.
As already remarked, the Tales are often built upon events in his own family, or else occurring within their knowledge.

The second in order of publication, _The Parting Hour_, arose out of an incident in the life of the poet's own brother, which is thus related in the notes to the edition of 1834: "Mr.Crabbe's fourth brother, William, taking to a sea-faring life, was made prisoner by the Spaniards.

He was carried to Mexico, where he became a silversmith, married, and prospered, until his increasing riches attracted a charge of Protestantism; the consequence of which was much persecution.
He at last was obliged to abandon Mexico, his property, and his family; and was discovered in the year 1803 by an Aldeburgh sailor on the coast of Honduras, where again he seems to have found some success in business.
This sailor was the only person he had seen for many a year who could tell him anything about Aldeburgh and his family, and great was his perplexity when he was informed that his eldest brother, George, was a clergyman.

'This cannot be _our_ George,' said the wanderer, 'he was a _Doctor_! This was the first, and it was also the last, tidings that ever reached Mr.Crabbe of his brother William; and upon the Aldeburgh sailor's story of his casual interview, it is obvious that he built this tale." The story as developed by Crabbe is pathetic and picturesque, reminding us in its central interest of _Enoch Arden_.

Allen Booth, the youngest son of his parents dwelling in a small seaport, falls early in love with a child schoolfellow, for whom his affection never falters.