overlooking the valley of Honiton, almost immediately opposite to
Feniton; and, at the same time, took on himself the expenses of the
curacy and school, for the vicar of the parish, the Rev. Dr. Cornish,
formerly master of Ottery School.

The first curate of Alfington was Judge Coleridge's son Henry, the
well-known author of the beautiful Life of St. Francis Xavier. On
his leaving our communion, it was his father's wish that Coleridge
Patteson should take the cure; and, until his ordination, it was
committed temporarily to other hands, in especial to the Rev. Henry
Gardiner, who was much beloved there. In the spring of 1853, he had
a long and dangerous illness, when Coley came to nurse him, and
became so much attached to him, that his influence and unconscious
training became of great importance. The church was served by such
clerical friends as could give their assistance on Sunday, and the
pastoral care, attention to the school, cottage visiting, &c., became
the employment of the candidate for Holy Orders, who thus began his
work under the direction of his disabled friend.

A letter to his sister shows how he plunged into the drudgery of the
parish, doing that which always cost him most, namely, administering
rebukes; so that it was no wonder that he wrote with a sort of
elation at having lashed himself up to the point of giving a thorough
warning:--


'Feniton: July 19, 1853.

'My dearest Fan,--I am going to Thorverton to-day to stay till
Thursday. Gardiner came downstairs on Sunday, and again yesterday,