16 NATURE IN DOWNLAND 



downs and the maritime district of Sussex, as good 

 as any work we have had from him, I feel certain. 



Why I said so much about forgotten Hurdis a 

 little while back has been explained, and now a second 

 apology seems necessary. Jefferies was much in my 

 mind just now because by chance I happen to be 

 writing this introductory chapter in the last house he 

 inhabited, and where he died, in the small village of 

 Goring, between the sea and the West Sussex Downs. 



A strange, I had almost said a mysterious, adven- 

 ture befell me as I came hither. On a cloudy melan- 

 choly day in September I came in search of this cottage, 

 and walking to the church by a narrow lane with a 

 low trim wall-like hedge on either side, my thoughts 

 were of Jefferies, who had doubtless often walked here, 

 too, feeling the icy hand on him of one that walked 

 invisible at his side. My mind was full of sadness, 

 when, hearing the crunching of gravel beneath other 

 feet than my own, I suddenly looked up, and behold, 

 there before me stood the man himself, back on earth 

 in the guise of a tramp ! It was a most extraordinary 

 coincidence that at such a moment I should have 

 come face to face with this poor outcast and wanderer 

 who had the Jefferies' countenance as I knew it from 

 portraits and descriptions. It was the long thought- 

 ful suffering face, long straight nose, flowing brown 

 beard, and rather large full blue eyes. I was startled 

 at the expression, the unmistakable stamp of a misery 

 that was anguish and near to despair and insanity. 



