igS THE LIFE OF RICHARD JEFFERIES 



vehemence of soul-thought would accompany it. But 

 I should like it, too, for itself. For I believe, with all 

 my heart, in the body and the flesh, and believe that it 

 should be increased and made more beautiful by every 

 means. I believe — I do more than think^ — I believe it 

 to be a sacred duty, incumbent upon every one, man and 

 woman, to add to and encourage their physical life, by 

 exercise, and in every manner. A sacred duty each 

 towards himself, and each towards the whole of the human 

 race. Each one of us should do some little part for the 

 physical good of the race — health, strength, vigour. 

 There is no harm therein to the soul : on the contrary, 

 those who stunt their physical life are most certainly 

 stunting their souls. 



' I believe all manner of asceticism to be the vilest 

 blasphemy — blasphemy towards the whole of the human 

 race. I believe in the flesh and the body, which is 

 worthy of worship — to see a perfect human body un- 

 veiled causes a sense of worship. The ascetics are the 

 only persons who are impure. Increase of physical 

 beauty is attended by increase of soul beauty. The soul 

 is the higher even by gazing on beauty. Let me be 

 fleshly perfect. 



' It is in myself that I desire increase, profit, and ex- 

 altation of body, mind, and soul. The surroundings, 

 the clothes, the dwelling, the social status, the circum- 

 stances are to me utterly indifferent. Let the floor of 

 the room be bare, let the furniture be a plank table, the 

 bed a mere pallet. Let the house be plain and simple, 

 but in the midst of air and light. These are enough — a 

 cave would be enough ; in a warmer climate the open 

 air would suffice. Let me be furnished in myself with 

 health, safety, strength, the perfection of physical ex- 

 istence I let my mind be furnished with highest thoughts 

 of soul-life. Let me be in myself myself fully. The 

 pageantry of power, the still more foolish pageantry of 

 wealth, the senseless precedence of place ; words fail me 

 to express my utter contempt for such pleasure or such 



