84 THE EULOGY OF RICHARD JEFFERIES. 



employ me, but said that, as their circulation 

 at Swindon was very small, they could give 

 but a small price quoting a sum which abso- 

 lutely would not buy me a dinner once a week. 

 This was no good. Other papers further off 

 refused, entirely. As for answering advertise- 

 ments, or seeking situations in other places, it 

 was useless, from the following circumstance. 

 In the autumn a large London paper failed, and 

 the staff was thrown out. The consequence 

 was, that the market became overstocked 

 with reporters, and all vacancies were speedily 

 filled. My next step was to try the London 

 papers, especially the Pall Mall, with which I 

 have had more or less connection for years. 

 As I told you, three of the Dailies said if I 

 were in town they could give me plenty of 

 work, but not regular employment. In other 

 words, one would employ me one day, another 

 another, until an opening occurred for regular 

 work. . . ." 



There are other details showing that it was 

 a terrible time of tightness. Threatenings of 

 county court for a debt of 2 10s. ; personal 



