The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-03-01
From the Kaleidoscope.
THE PARISH CLERK.
THE cURATB.


In the north aisle of - Church there is
a small marble tablet, which records the
virtues and perfections of the Rev. Alfred
Corsar, who died August Gath, 1894, aged
twenty nine years. The singular occur
renee, which produced the death of this
young Clergyman, Nehemiah was fond Of re.
lating; and soon after he gave me the ac-
count of his own love adventures, he gratifi-
ed me with the following narrative -
After ! had been CLERK Of this Church a
bout ten years, SAID Nehemiah, the then
Rector became too old and feeble to fulfil his
Clerical duties, and Curate was engaged
to assist him; that Curate was the Rev. Al
fred Corsar, and more worthy or pious
Minister never preached in - Church.
At his first introduction he won the hearts
of all by the Kindness and cheerfulness of his
manners, and by the fervency and devotion
with which he performed the duties of his
Office; but his career was short and fieeting,
and, before he lad been long with us, an
event occurred which blasted his future
hopes, and laid him in an untimely grave
Amongst the female part Of the congre-
cation, was a young Lady named Louisa
Mordaunt, the Daughter OF Gentleman in
easy circumstances, who was at that time
filling the Office Of Church-Warden: 1t was
not long before Alfred Corsar was intro
duced to her, and his visits to her fathers
house became very frequent; strong atfec-
tion arose in his breast, and Louisa Nor.
daunt was its object; but he never had the
courage to avow his love, nor in truth, did
the conduct of Miss Mordanht give him the
least encouragement, so that he continued TO
cherish passion as hopeless asit was fer
vent, without daring to proclaim it to the
world. had some suspicion OF his feelings
from his frequent inquiries respecting Miss
Mordaunt, and was soon dreadfully convin-
ced of the truth OF my surmises, and the cx-
tent Of his love.
Twas sitting ono evening enjoying my nsu-
al beverage at the Griffin, when / received
a message to attend at the church. ! went,
and found stranger writing, who in
formed me that he intended to be married
on the following morning, having obtained a
license from the Rector for that purpose;
of course acouiesced, and inquired the name
Of the latlv;--it was Louisa Mortaunt
vas mitch snrnrised at this, 9s ! had never
before heard Of Miss Elordal.1t having a
lover. but afterwards learned that the Gen
tleman. who now addressed me, had long
been her admirer, though living at distance
-their coultship, which had been carried
on by letters, until her lover found himself
in situation to claim her as his bride, when
she readily consented to bestow her hand
where she had already bestowed her heart,
only stipulatng that the marriage ceremony
should be performed in - Church. Hav-
ing assured the stranger that every thing
should be prepared for the ceremony. he
left the Church, and proceeded to inform
Mr. Corsar that his services would be re-
ouired on the following morning. On being
introduced told him my GRAND. "Well
Nehemiah, said he, and who is the ltady!"
I mentioned Louisa Mordaunt. Nev,r shall
| forget his look at that moment; it was one
| of fixed despair, and he seemed as If his fac
ulties were suspended and his frame wither-
ed by some sudden visitation of Heaven. At
length, by an effort almost superhuman,. he
recovered, and waving his hand, said, "Gc,
go; will attend" / left him, deeply COM
misserating his situation, as ! now found he
indeed loved Louisa Mordaunt.
On the following morning proceeded to
the Church at the hour appointed, and on
entering the Vestry | found Mr.. Corsar
there, but the wedding party had not arriv
cd Mr.. Corsar was standing near the win
dow. absorbed in revcrie, ne looked dread
| fully male and his ewes had a wildness quite
unusual. When he was aware of my pres
ence. he requested me to hand him glass of
wine. which he drank with frightful eager
ness. he requested another, which he drank
with the same avidity, and then sunk OH a
seat quite exhausted. To my enquiries he
returned no answer, but pressed his hand
violently against his forehead At length
the wedding party arrived at the Church,
and after the neceaacry prelimnaries, rang
| ed themselves in order for ceremony; the
Curate left the Nestry without speaking,
and with a slow and faulterng step entered
the Altar; he then commenced the service;
the exordum he gave with sublime effect,
as if he expected his words would con- njure
IN some impeachment TO the marriage, and
when he arrived at that part which says "lt
anv man can show just Cause of impeachment
why these persons may not be lawfully 10
ed together IN wedlock let him now speak,
he paused, and gazed around with look OF
eager expectation,s ,sbut no answer being re
turned, he was compelled to proceed; yet he
seemed to cling to the remainder OF the pas
sage with hopeless tenacty, giving the con-
clusion with sublime and almost terrlhc
energy. The party assembled were aston
shed, and gazed on each other with speech
less amazement, not knowing what to make
of so strange conduct OF the Minister. Al
length he asked the bridegroom the ques-
tion, "NVilt thou have this woman to be thy
welded wifei' &c, to which, OF course, the
answer was 81 will.