Chapter I: Preface

In the body of this work I have sufficiently explained the reasons why I was entrusted with the task of writing this memoir of Richard Jefferies. I have only here to express my thanks, first to the publishers, who have given permission to quote from books by Jefferies issued by them, namely: Messrs. Cassell and Co., Messrs. Chapman and Hall, Messrs. Longman and Co., Messrs. Sampson Low and Co., Messrs. Smith and Elder, and Messrs. Tinsley Brothers, and next, to all those who have entrusted me with letters written by Jefferies, and have given permission to use them. These are: Mrs. Harrild, of Sydenham, Mr. Charles Longman, Mr. J.W. North, and Mr. C.P. Scott. I have also been provided with the note-books filled with Jefferies' notes made in the fields. These have enabled me to understand, and, I hope, to convey to others some understanding of, the writer's methods. I call this book the "Eulogy" of Richard Jefferies, because, in very truth, I can find nothing but admiration, pure and unalloyed, for that later work of his, on which will rest his fame and his abiding memory.

W.B.
UNITED UNIVERSITY CLUB,
_September, 1888_.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
CHAPTER I.
COATE FARM 1

CHAPTER II.
SIXTEEN TO TWENTY 49

CHAPTER III.
LETTERS FROM 1866 TO 1872 66

CHAPTER IV.
GLEAMS OF LIGHT 96

CHAPTER V.
FIRST YEARS OF SUCCESS 108

CHAPTER VI.
FICTION, EARLY AND LATE 145

CHAPTER VII.
IN FULL CAREER 163

CHAPTER VIII.
THE LONGMAN LETTERS 193

CHAPTER IX.
THE COUNTRY LIFE 214

CHAPTER X.
"THE STORY OF MY HEART" 269

CHAPTER XI.
THE CHILD WANDERS IN THE WOOD 301

CHAPTER XII.
CONCLUSION 327

* * * * *

APPENDIX I.
LIST OF JEFFERIES' WORKS 366

APPENDIX II.
LIST OF PAPERS STILL UNPUBLISHED 368

APPENDIX III.
LETTER TO THE "TIMES," NOVEMBER, 1872 370

THE

EULOGY

OF

RICHARD JEFFERIES.