134 The Young Gipsy: a Village Sketch. [Feb. 



impression." — " Ah, sir I she is such a good girl !" and the next day 

 they were married. 



It was a measure to set every tongue in the village a wagging ; for 

 Thomas, besides his personal good gifts, was well to do in the world — 

 my lord's head keeper, and prime favourite. He might have pretended 

 to any farmer's daughter in the parish : every body cried out against 

 the match. It was rather a bold measure, certainly ; but I think it will 

 end well. They are, beyond a doubt, the handsomest couple in these 

 parts ; and as the fortune-teller and her eldest grandson have had the 

 good sense to decamp, and Fanny, besides being the most grateful and 

 affectionate creature on earth, turns out clever and docile, and comports 

 herself just as if she had lived in a house all her days : there are some 

 hopes that in process of time her sin of gipsyism may be forgiven, and 

 Mrs. Lamb be considered as visitable, at least by her next neighbours, 

 the wives of the shoemaker and the parish clerk. At present, I am 

 sorry to say that those worthy persons have sent both Thomas and her 

 to Coventry — a misfortune which they endure with singular resignation. 



M. 



hecollections of dr. parr, 



Bettveen the Years 1818 and 1823. 

 (Continued from p. 26.) 



Many people have heard of the festivities, in honour of May, observed 

 at Hatton Parsonage, and promoted by the Doctor, who was a great 

 lover of old times and old customs, with primitive festivity. 



London, April 22, 1822. 

 " Dear — : I cannot attend our Maypole festivity, as I once wished, upon 

 Tuesday the twenty-first of May ; but I have fixed upon Whitsun-Tuesday, the 

 twenty-eightli of May, and upon that day I expect you to perform your promise 

 of joining in our village festivities, and dining with me, at one o'clock, at the 

 parsonage. Our dinner is early, that the young people may go to the dance. 

 With my best compliments and best wishes, &c. 



" I am, dear — Your very faithful and obedient servant, S. Parr." 



The Doctor, in his full dress and wig, was incessantly moving up and 

 down, to see that every body was satisfied — alternately introducing 

 ladies and gentlemen to each other, and exchanging a kind and good- 

 humoured word with his young parishioners. The former class, after 

 having for a short time sanctioned the festivities by their presence, soon 

 retired to tea in the library ; and after their departure the real life and 

 fun began, and the villagers continued (as Sir Felix Friendly says) as 

 merry as " good cheer, strong beer, and the pipe and tabor could make 

 them."* 



He had many friends and acquaintances, both among the residents 

 and visitors ; and few of distinction among the latter description were 

 not anxious for the acquaintance of Dr. Parr. When Lady Byron came 

 into the neighbourhood, the Doctor visited her, and was much pleased 

 with the knowledge and various acquirement her Ladyship possessed. 

 Lady Byron being ( to use the phrase employed on the occasion) " up to 

 every subject the Doctor could converse upon." Some idea of the variety 



• There was a celebration again in 1823, but not so numerously attended. 



