336 THE EULOGY OF RICHARD JEFFERIES. 



of literature ! Patrons of literature I Was 

 there ever such a disgrace in the nineteenth 

 century ? Patrons of literature ! The thing 

 is simply abominable ! I dare soy if I were a 

 town-born man I should not think so, but to 

 me it wears an aspect of standing insult. 



" No doubt we ought to combine all who 

 have ever touched a pen then we could assist 

 each other in a straightforward and manly way. 



" The temptation to me is very great indeed, 

 because there is no question that I have been 

 slowly sinking for years for want of some such 

 travel or stimulus working through the nervous 

 system. But I have made up my mind to say 

 no. I would rather run the risk of quitting 

 this world altogether next winter than degrade 

 myself in that way. 



" I am trying all 1 can to move altogether 

 to the neighbourhood of the sea. Possibly, 

 even Dorset or Devon might answer ; or, 

 failing that, I may try to pay a short visit 

 to Schwalbach, and see if the natural iron 

 medicine of a mineral spring may do what 

 compound physic cannot. But I fancy the sea 

 residence would be preferable. 



