78 NOTES ON THE RECTORS OF STAVELEY, 
old rector; but after all, it may truly be said of him, as of the 
village preacher described by Goldsmith, that 
** To relieve the wretched was his pride, 
And ev’n his failings lean’d to virtue’s side ; 
But in his duty prompt at ev’ry call, 
He watch’d and wept—he pray’d—and felt for all ; 
And, as a bird each fond endearment tries, 
To tempt her new-fledg’d offspring to the skies, 
He try’d each art, reproved each dull delay, 
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.” 
His charitable disposition was shown, not only in the remission of 
his fees to the poor, and the demand of merely nominal tythes— 
questionable precedents as some persons, perhaps, may think—but 
in various other cases, in which he dispensed his bounty both 
casually and stately— 
Full oft areund his board in reverent state, 
A goodly row of ancient widows sate, 
Invited to partake the grateful meal, 
His hospitality rejoic’d to deal : 
For them he slaughtered, too, the fatted steer, 
What time glad Christmas festal closed the year. 
The village matron should disease assail 
Herself, or neighbour, thither told her tale ; 
Nor fear’d in sickness she should feebly pine, 
If fallen strength required a little wine; 
Or if in fever jellies might allay 
The hot distempered palate, there were they. 
Or if when convalescence feebly claim’d 
Some soothing hand, but left that hand unnam’d, 
The kind attention of the Parson’s wife 
Might cheer the hopes of slow reviving life. 
Alas ! he never had a wife : with tears 
The villagers deplored the lapse of years 
Whose long succession had their honours shed— 
A crown of hopeless grey upon his head. 
Hopeless for them, as one sad day they must 
Weep grief’s last tribute, o’er his childless dust— 
The last most honour’d relict of a race 
Of generous benefactors to the place. 
Besides the munificent charity still known by his name-in too 
parishes in Derbyshire, and the large bequests in his will to 
the Derbyshire and Sheffield Infirmaries, Mr. Gisborne gave 
anonymously to St. Peter’s College, Cambridge (of which he was a 
fellow), the sum of £22,000, in consideration whereof two Fellow- 
ships of £70 per annum each, and four new scholarships of £30 
per annum were added to the patronage of the College. This 
foundation bears the name of the donor.—[W. S.] 
