The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-16

The Parsons Race for an Once
Although we presume that the pursuit of
office has been brought to as high perfection as
it is capable of attaining, we yet copy the fol-
lowing story from the Edinburg Retie,c to
show that We have not distancsd all COMPETE
ton,
We regret greatly that neither the time
made by the clerical gentleman whose adven-
ture is described, nor the precise salary which
melted such an effort, have been given. 1t is
very probable that the annals of office huntr-
here might compare favorably if me d,t, conld
be obtained.
W Will, however, admit that the whole
enterprise, from the watch over the WANING
breath OF the incumbent to the arrival at the
Bishops Hall, far ahead of all competition,
was not merely very good for parson, but
would have distinguished our fastest applicants:
"The manner in which livings were obtained in
those times, is illustrated by the following nara.
tvs of case which actually occurred in the do.
cese OF st. Davids during the last generation,
We give the story with the exception, of course,
OF the names) as it told by the son of its hero
The Rev. David Jones curate in Cardigan.
shire, and had long watched the falling health of
his neighbor, the Vicar of Dim Saesone~. At
length he received the Of his friends decease
OF which he had secured the earliest intelligence
No time wac TO be lost, His pony waa Instantly
saddied, and off he rode uy the shertes, c,t over
me mountains to Abergwili tts residence of the
oiShoP' The distances was fifty miles, half bog.
aalf torrent but hope lent wings to David, and
soon be was in sight of The palace chimueys
suddenly a cold papg shoots through his heart!
lie has forgotten his credentials! He had obtain
ed, only week before, letter OF Recommendation
to tbs bishop from an influential member of the
squlrearchy. And this letter he has left at home
In the pocket of a weekday garment What is to
be done? II is useless attack the bishop without
the letter He must return for it at all hazards
Luckily be has cousin who keeps country inn
not lar from Abergwil. There he borrows a fresh
Morse, and pushes back with all speed 1t is a
moonlight ms ut, so that he can follow the NOM
tam track without dificultys and before dawn he
astonishes Mrs. Jones by his unlooke for appear
ance beside the nupual couch But he vanishes
from her eight again like vision; be has found
the precious letter, and buttonng his coat tightly
over It, he hurries to the house of friendly neigh
Dor, who lends him another steed while it il
NeiuS caught ana saddled, he snatches hasty
breakfast, and then is off again to Abergwili.
RANT and saddie-sore be felt $50 he told our in.
iormsnt) when once more he came in sight of the
palace. Nevertheless, he tarried not for refresh
ment, but FASTENED to the episcopal mapsion
Iremoiingly be rang the sonorous bell at the en-.
trance, and when the door flung open by the
purple footman, in the excitement of the moment
ne accosted him as My Lcrd.' The servant was
not disconnected, being quite accustomed to such
utular elevation. He showed Mr.. Jones quietly
into the library, where the bishop soon after made
hls appearance, and inquired, with an air OF bland
dignity, into the business of his visitor The mat
ter was soon explained, the squires letter produced
and the er5hop (haying received no prior applica
uon) bestowed the desired prelerment on the en-
raPtured curate In the highest citation, David
retired to his inn, when whom should he ms,t in
the stable yard bat his neighbor Thomas Will
hams, who filled the next curacy to his own AT
sight oil Jones's joyous countenance, deadly
paieness overspread the face of Williams, He felt
that be was too late. But hope is tenacious, and
be refused to believe in his rivals success till he
had himself seen the bishop. He rushed to the
palace and was admitted to an audience; but il
was only to receive a confirmation of the unwel-|
come intelligence, with the additional mortifca
lion OF an episcopal rebuks. Sir said the pre-
late, MIR. Jones was obliged to ride hundred and
nifty miles to obtain this living; had you possessed
his energy, you might have been here long before
him, and secured the preferment for YOURSELF