IN FULL CAREER. 169 



To be sure, his own people knew little, except in 

 general terms, about his intentions or projects. 

 It was not in Jefferies' nature to consult them. 

 Another thing I knew not, because, with charac- 

 teristic pride and reserve, he did not suffer 

 even his brother-in-law or his sister to know 

 it viz., the terrible poverty of his later days. 

 I have never looked upon the face of Richard 

 Jefferies. This, now that it is too late, is to 

 me a deep and abiding sorrow. I always 

 hoped some day to see him there seemed so 

 much time ahead and to tell him, face to 

 face, what one ought to tell such a man it is 

 a plain duty to tell this truth to such a man 

 how greatly I admired and valued his work, 

 with what joy I received it, with what eager- 

 ness 1 expected it, what splendid qualities I 

 found in it, what instruction and elevation of 

 soul I derived from it. I have never even 

 seen this man. I was not a friend of his I 

 was not even a casual acquaintance and yet 

 I am writing his life. Perhaps, in this strange 

 way, by reading all that he wrote, by connect- 

 ing his work continually with what I learned, 

 of his life and habits, and by learning, day by 



