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.

25 May 2025

About the Society

 



The Richard Jefferies Society (RJS) was established on 13 June 1950 and now has members in all parts of the world. It is a registered charity (No. 1042838) managed by an Executive Council of volunteers.   

The Society aims to promote interest in, and respect for the life and works of Richard Jefferies (1848-1887).

Newsletters, with information about the writer, planned events, meetings, outings, publications and services are circulated to members twice a year along with an annual report.   In addition members receive a copy of the Society's Journal containing hitherto unpublished writing by Jefferies, new articles, research and book reviews. E-bulletins are sent out monthly. 

The Society has a special concern for such places in Wiltshire as the writer's birthplace at Coate that houses a Museum dedicated to his memory and is managed by the Richard Jefferies Museum Trust (a separate charity).


along with Coate Water (the setting for Bevis)

Liddington Hill -- "the labour of walking three miles to it ... seemed to clear my blood of the heaviness accumulated at home ... I began to breathe a new air".


and the memorial stone on Burderop Down with its iconic quote "It is eternity now. I am in the midst of it. It is about me in the sunshine." 


Other places of pilgrimage are at Surbiton, Sydenham and Eltham near London, and at Brighton, Crowborough and at his final home at Goring by Sea, Sussex where he died at the age of 38.  Richard Jefferies' grave is in Broadwater cemetery at Worthing.

‘To the honoured memory of the Prose Poet of England’s fields and woodlands’

Meetings are held in the winter months by Zoom and the Spring Lecture and Annual General Meeting take place at the Richard Jefferies Museum. 

A Bursary is available for projects that promote a new understanding of the writings of Jefferies.

The Society awards a yearly literary prize for excellence in nature writing in association with the White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough. 

The Society holds extensive archives at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Download a catalogue of our archives held there.

The Society is a member of the Alliance of Literary Societies. 

The Society hosts a Facebook page, BlueSky, Instagram and You Tube channel. 

The Society has issued a PrivacyStatement with regard to the use of 'cookies' on this website. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT A NEW WEBSITE IS IN PREPARATION FOR THE SUMMER OF 2026 THAT WILL GO LIVE AT richardjefferiessociety.org

For further information contact the Richard Jefferies Society
by email.