70 Richard Jefferies. 



in death his place is not with the tombs of his forefathers — it has 

 already, somewhat unjustly, been made a matter of i-eproach to us 

 that there should be no memorial of Richard Jefferies here in our 

 own Cathedral, That reproach has now been done awaj^, thanks to the 

 efforts of the committee which, at Mr. Arthur Kinglake^s suggestion, 

 took the matter in hand some two or three years ago. The execution 

 of a bust, to be placed in the north transept, was entrusted to Miss 

 Margaret Thomas, who has succeeded in producing a fine, though 

 perhaps somewhat idealised, likeness, not unworthy of its place near 

 works that bear the names of Chantrey and of Flaxraan. The 

 bracket on which it stands is by Mr. Thatcher, of Taunton, and 

 bears the following not too happily worded inscription : — 



" To the Memory of ' Richard Jefferies, born at Coate, in the Parish of 

 Chiseldon, and County of Wilts, 6th November, 1848. Died at Goring, in the 

 County of Sussex, 14th August, 1887. Who observing the veorks of Almighty 

 God with a Poet's eye, has enriched the literature of his country and won 

 for himself a place amongst those who have made men happier and wiser." 



The ceremony of unveiling took place on Wednesday, the 9th 

 March, 189£, at noon. The weather was dark and stormy, and 

 consequently but a small congregation assembled in the north 

 transept at the appointed hour. Mrs. Jefferies was amongst those 

 present, but owing to some misunderstanding Miss Thomas did not 

 arrive in time. Some collects appropriate to the occasion having 

 been read by the Dean, the Bishop, before unveiling the bust and 

 handing it over to the custody of the Cathedral authorities, briefly 

 explained the purpose for which they were met together, and the 

 pleasure with which he himself had taken part in this " somewhat 

 tardy justice^'' to the memory of a great Wiltshireman, " one in 

 whom we recognise a gift of insight into the beauties of Nature, 

 given him by God — one who bore sickness and trial and great 

 sorrow patiently, and whose soul was still struggling upwards 

 towards the light." 



The Dean then delivered a short address, in which he touched 



' It may here be observed that he was christened John Richard, but was 

 always known only by his second name. 



