RICHARD JEFFERIES
Reading edition
AUTHOR OF 'THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME' 'WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY' 'THE AMATEUR POACHER' 'ROUND ABOUT A GREAT ESTATE' ETC.
PREFACE
The papers of which this volume is composed originally appeared in the
Standard
, and are now republished by permission of the Editor.
In manners, mode of thought, and way of life, there is perhaps no class of the community less uniform than the agricultural. The diversities are so great as to amount to contradictions. Individuality of character is most marked, and, varying an old saw, it might be said, so many farmers so many minds.
Next to the tenants the landowners have felt the depression, to such a degree, in fact, that they should perhaps take the first place, having no one to allow them in turn a 20 per cent, reduction of their liabilities. It must be remembered that the landowner will not receive the fruits of returning prosperity when it comes for some time after they have reached the farmer. Two good seasons will be needed before the landowner begins to recoup.
Country towns are now so closely connected with agriculture that a description of the one would be incomplete without some mention of the other. The aggregate capital employed by the business men of these small towns must amount to an immense sum, and the depreciation of their investments is of more than local concern.
Although the labourer at the present moment is a little in the background, and has the best of the bargain, since wages have not much fallen, if at all; yet he will doubtless come to the front again. For as agriculture revives, and the sun shines, the organisations by which he is represented will naturally display fresh vigour.
But the rapid progress of education in the villages and outlying districts is the element which is most worthy of thoughtful consideration. On the one hand, it may perhaps cause a powerful demand for corresponding privileges; and on the other, counteract the tendency to unreasonable expectations. In any case, it is a fact that cannot be ignored. Meantime, all I claim for the following sketches is that they are written in a fair and impartial spirit.
RICHARD JEFFERIES.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. THE FARMERS' PARLIAMENT II. LEAVING HIS FARM III. A MAN OF PROGRESS IV. GOING DOWNHILL V. THE BORROWER AND THE GAMBLER VI. AN AGRICULTURAL GENIUS—OLD STYLE VII. THE GIG AND THE FOUR-IN-HAND. A BICYCLE FARMER VIII. HAYMAKING. 'THE JUKE'S COUNTRY' IX. THE FINE LADY FARMER. COUNTRY GIRLS X. MADEMOISELLE, THE GOVERNESS XI. FLEECEBOROUGH. A 'DESPOT' XII. THE SQUIRE'S 'ROUND ROBIN' XIII. AN AMBITIOUS SQUIRE XIV. THE PARSON'S WIFE XV. A MODERN COUNTRY CURATE XVI.THE SOLICITOR XVII. 'COUNTY COURT DAY' XVIII.THE BANK. THE OLD NEWSPAPER XIX. THE VILLAGE FACTORY. VILLAGE VISITORS. WILLOW-WORK XX. HODGE'S FIELDS XXI. A WINTER'S MORNING XXII. THE LABOURER'S CHILDREN, COTTAGE GIRLS XXIII. THE LOW 'PUBLIC' IDLERS XXIV. THE COTTAGE CHARTER, FOUR-ACRE FARMERS XXV. LANDLORDS' DIFFICULTIES, THE LABOURER AS A POWER. MODERN CLERGY XXVI. A WHEAT COUNTRY XXVII. GRASS COUNTRIES XXVIII. HODGE'S LAST MASTERS, CONCLUSION