Chapter I: Preface

The papers of which this volume is composed originally appeared in the _Standard_, and are now republished by permission of the Editor.

In manners, mode of thought, and way of life, there is perhaps no class of the community less uniform than the agricultural. The diversities are so great as to amount to contradictions. Individuality of character is most marked, and, varying an old saw, it might be said, so many farmers so many minds.

Next to the tenants the landowners have felt the depression, to such a degree, in fact, that they should perhaps take the first place, having no one to allow them in turn a 20 per cent, reduction of their liabilities. It must be remembered that the landowner will not receive the fruits of returning prosperity when it comes for some time after they have reached the farmer. Two good seasons will be needed before the landowner begins to recoup.

Country towns are now so closely connected with agriculture that a description of the one would be incomplete without some mention of the other. The aggregate capital employed by the business men of these small towns must amount to an immense sum, and the depreciation of their investments is of more than local concern.

Although the labourer at the present moment is a little in the background, and has the best of the bargain, since wages have not much fallen, if at all; yet he will doubtless come to the front again. For as agriculture revives, and the sun shines, the organisations by which he is represented will naturally display fresh vigour.

But the rapid progress of education in the villages and outlying districts is the element which is most worthy of thoughtful consideration. On the one hand, it may perhaps cause a powerful demand for corresponding privileges; and on the other, counteract the tendency to unreasonable expectations. In any case, it is a fact that cannot be ignored. Meantime, all I claim for the following sketches is that they are written in a fair and impartial spirit.

RICHARD JEFFERIES.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. THE FARMERS' PARLIAMENT

II. LEAVING HIS FARM

III. A MAN OF PROGRESS

IV. GOING DOWNHILL

V. THE BORROWER AND THE GAMBLER

VI. AN AGRICULTURAL GENIUS--OLD STYLE

VII. THE GIG AND THE FOUR-IN-HAND. A BICYCLE FARMER

VIII. HAYMAKING. 'THE JUKE'S COUNTRY'

IX. THE FINE LADY FARMER. COUNTRY GIRLS

X. MADEMOISELLE, THE GOVERNESS

XI. FLEECEBOROUGH. A 'DESPOT'

XII. THE SQUIRE'S 'ROUND ROBIN'

XIII. AN AMBITIOUS SQUIRE

XIV. THE PARSON'S WIFE

XV. A MODERN COUNTRY CURATE

XVI. THE SOLICITOR

XVII. 'COUNTY COURT DAY'

XVIII. THE BANK. THE OLD NEWSPAPER

XIX. THE VILLAGE FACTORY. VILLAGE VISITORS. WILLOW-WORK

XX. HODGE'S FIELDS

XXI. A WINTER'S MORNING

XXII. THE LABOURER'S CHILDREN, COTTAGE GIRLS

XXIII. THE LOW 'PUBLIC' IDLERS

XXIV. THE COTTAGE CHARTER, FOUR-ACRE FARMERS

XXV. LANDLORDS' DIFFICULTIES, THE LABOURER AS A POWER. MODERN CLERGY

XXVI. A WHEAT COUNTRY

XXVII. GRASS COUNTRIES

XXVIII. HODGE'S LAST MASTERS, CONCLUSION