The Story of My Heart, 1883

CHAPTER I: THE STORY OF MY HEART [published Oct. 1883] commences seventeen years ago. In the glow of youth there were times every now and then when I felt the necessity of a strong inspiration of soul thought. My heart was dusty, parched for want of the rain of deep feeling; my mind arid and dry, for there is a dust which settles on the heart as well as that which falls on a ledge. ... When this began to form I felt eager to escape from it, to throw off the heavy clothing, to drink deeply once more at the fresh fountains of life. An inspiration―a long deep breath of the pure air of thought―could alone give health to the heart. There is a hill [Liddington] to which I used to resort at such periods. The labour of walking three miles to it, all the while gradually ascending, seemed to clear my blood of the heaviness accumulated at home. On a warm summer day the slow continued rise required continual effort, which carried away the sense of oppression.... I began to breathe a new air and to have a fresher aspiration. ... Moving up the sweet short turf, at every step my heart seemed to obtain a wider horizon of feeling; with every inhalation of rich pure air, a deeper desire. The very light of the sun was whiter and more brilliant here. By the time I had reached the summit I had entirely forgotten the petty circumstances and the annoyances of existence. I felt myself, myself.

06 September 2008

RICHARD JEFFERIES “SPIRIT COUNTRY”

RICHARD JEFFERIES “SPIRIT COUNTRY”

An illustrated lecture by Roger Vlitos, photographer.

Liddington Village Hall, Saturday 11th October 2008: 2.30pm



Richard Jefferies (1848-1887) called the landscape around his home at Coate to the Downs “spirit country” because of its timeless and inspirational qualities. The lecture will show how writers such as Richard Jefferies, Thomas Hardy and Robert Byron; artists like John Piper, Paul Nash, Eric Ravillious and David Inshaw; photographers like Bill Brandt, Charlie Waite and Fay Godwin, all found inspiration in their local landscapes.

Roger Vlitos, born in the USA, has been an editorial and travel photographer for the past 25 years. He is also a published author whose work has appeared in magazines and books worldwide. Past photographic work has included Arts Council posters, a series of landscapes for the National Trust, an exhibition and publication on Welsh Legends that won Design Council awards, plus assignments for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, as well as The British Museum and Natural History Museum in London. He currently lectures on photography at Bath University and lives in Avebury.

Roger’s father was with a trainload of Allied servicemen delayed in Swindon station on their way to prepare for the D-day invasion. He was only 18 at the time and he met an elderly Swindon couple who took him under their wing that day. They drove him to see the Downs and gave him The Story of my Heart to pass the time. Roger's father read it and scribbled words like ‘wonderful’ in the margins. He kept the book for many years until he gave it to Roger. That book by Richard Jefferies, and the inspirational landscape of Wiltshire, drew Roger to work here as a photographer.

For more information contact The Richard Jefferies Society on 01793 783040
Entrance free