THE CURATE.
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sar, who died August 24th, 1794, aged twen- 1 ty- nine years. The singular occurrence which produced the death of this young

 Clergyman, Nehemiah was fond of relating :; and soon after he gave me an account of his own love adventures, he gratifed me with the following narratve:-

 "After had been Clerk of this Church about ten years,' said Nehemiah, |" the then Rector became too old and feeble to fulfil his Clerical duties, and a Curate was engaged to assist him: that Curate was the Rev. Alfred COrsar, and more worthy or pious Minister never preached in - Church. At his first l 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 heeting, and before he had been long with us, an event occurred which blasted his future hopes, and laid him in an untimely grave.

 Amongst the female part ofthe congrega- ton, was a young lady named Louisa MOr- daunt, the daughter of gentlcmau in easy circumstances, who was at that time filling the office of Church-warden. It was not long before Alfred Corsar was introduced to her, ] and his visits to her fathers house became very frequent; strong affection arose in his breast, and Louisa MOrdaunt was it's object, but he never had the courage to avOw his love, nor in truth, did the conduct of Miss Mordaunt give him the least encourage ment, so that he continued to cherish pas sion as hopeless as it was fervent, without daring to proclaim it to the world. l had some suspicion of his feelings from his fre- quent inquiries respecting Miss Mordaunt, and was soon dreadfully convinced of the truth of my surmises, and the extent of his love.

 was sitting one evening enjoying my usual beverage at the Griffin, when I recei we'd a message to attend at the Church. l went, and found stranger waiting, who in- formed me that he intended to be married on the following morning, having obtained license from the Rector for that purpose of course I acquiesced, and inquired the name of the lady :-it was Louisa Mordaunt! was much surprised at this, as had never before heard of Miss Mordaunt having a lover, but afterwards learnt that the gentleman wko now addressed me, had long been her admi- Ter, though living at a distance; their courtship had been carried on by letters, until her lover found himself lI a situa- tOn to claim her as his bridc when she readily consented to bastow her hand where she had already bestowed her heart, only stipulating that the marriage ceremony should be performed in - Church. Having assur ed the stranger that every thing should be prepared for the ceremony, he left the Church, and proceeded to. inform MT. Cor sar that his services would be required on the following morning. On being introduced told him my errand. "Well. Nehemiah" said he, "a and who is the lady ?" mentioned Louisa MOrdaunt. Never shall forget his look at that moment: it was one of fixed de- spair, and he seemed as if his faculties were suspended and his frame withered by some sudden visitation of Heaven. At length, by an effort almost superhuman, he recovered, and waving his hand, said, " Go, go :; I will at tend" I left him, deeply commiserating his Louisa Mordaunt.

 On the following morning proceeded to the Church at the hour appointed, and on entering the Vestry found Mir. Corsar there, but the wedding party had not arrived. MT. COrsar was standing near the window, absorb ed in reverie, he looked dreadfuly pale, and his eyes had wildness quite unusual. When he was aware of my presence, he requested me to hand him glass of wine, which he drank with frightful eagerness; ; he requested another, which he drank with the same av- dty, and then sunk on seat quite exhaust ed. To my inquiries he returned no answer, but pressed his hand violently to his forehead At length the wedding party arrived at the Church, and after the necessary prelimina- ries, ranged themselves in order for the cerc- mony; the Curate left the Vestry without speaking, and with slow aud faultering step entered the Altar he then commenced the service-the exordium he gave with sub lime effect, as fine expected his words would coniure up some impeachment to the marriage, and when he arri, cd at that part which says, off any man can show just cause of impedi- ment why these persons may not be lawfully joined together in holy wedIock, let him now speak" he paused, and gazrd around with look of eager expectation but no answer being returned, he was compelled to pro- cecd yet he seemed to cling to the remain der of the passage with hopeless tenacity, giving the conclusion with sublime and al- most terrific energy. The party assembled were astonished, and gazed on each other with speeches. amazement, not knowing what to make of such strange conduct of the minister. At length he asked the bridegroom the question, Wilt thou have this woman to be thy welded wife 2" &c.to which, of course, the answer was, will"

 | A pause then ensued, during which NIT. l Corsar seemed to be summoning all his ener-

 gies for the next interrogation he retreated

 some steps backwards, and then. hastily ad-

 vancing, put the question to Louisa Mor-