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.

10 August 2019

RICHARD JEFFERIES: A MISCELLANY




This collection of nature writing by Richard Jefferies, selected and introduced by Andrew Rossabi, is highly recommended. It is the perfect vehicle for highlighting the beautiful poetic prose of this largely forgotten Victorian author, except by those in the know.

It is a travesty that Jefferies' work is not better known, and we can but hope that this new book, published by Galileo, might bring Jefferies to more public attention and acclaim by a new audience.

Rossabi's selection is not only comprehensive but it transports the reader through a concise biography of Richard Jefferies.

Andrew Rossabi is the President of the Richard Jefferies Society and an authority on the life and work of the writer. He is in the process of writing a detailed biography of Richard Jefferies that will be published in three volumes (A Peculiarly English Genius). Volume I covers the early years and was published two years ago. Volume II is nearing completion and looks at Jefferies' years of struggle.