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 October 2024

DOWNLAND by Anna Dillon and Jonathan Davidson


The RICHARD JEFFERIES BIRTHDAY LECTURE takes place on Monday 4 November 2024 at 7.30pm (UK time) via a Zoom link that is open to everyone.

Anna Dillon and Jonathan Davidson will be talking about the wonderful North Wessex Downs that played such an important part of Richard Jefferies' life and formed the background drop to so much of his writing and inspiration.

Anna will be sharing her artwork from their recently published book DOWNLAND and Jonathan will be reading some of his poems.

If you would like the link to join this free event, please email richardjefferiessociety@btinternet.com.