212 THE EULOGY OF RICHARD JEFFERIES. 



These are probably the note-books of which 

 I have spoken, and from which I have quoted. 



The following, dated January 29, 1885, 

 refers to a copy of the Badminton hunting - 

 book sent him by Mr. Longman: 



" You have made me pretty miserable. I 

 have just read the otter chapter, and I can see 

 it all so plainly the rocks and the rush of 

 water, and the oaks of June above. Have you 

 ever seen the Exe and Barle? It is a land of 

 Paradise. So you have made me miserable 

 enough, being on all- fours; literally not able 

 to go even on three, as the Sphynx said, but 

 on four, crawling upstairs on hands and knees, 

 and nailed to the uneasy chair." 



He offers more work from Crowborough 

 (May 1, 1884 or 1885, uncertain). There is 

 a new novel of which he speaks, called " A Bit 

 of Human Nature," which never appeared, and 

 was probably never written. The rest of the 

 letters belong to the last few months of his life, 

 and must be reserved for the last chapter. 



