C. J. Loneman, Esq.

Jefferies was born in 1848; so that he must have begun thinking about this book when he was eighteen years old.
On June 27, 1883, he wrote :—
I have much pleasure in sending you the MS. by letter post. My book is a real re- cord—unsparing to myself as to all things
—absolutely and unflinchingly true.
The book was accepted, and published in due course.
On November 3, 1883, he wrote :—
PREFACE 1x
SAVERNAKE, LORNA ROAD, WEST BRIGHTON, November 3, 1883.
DeEaR SirR,—Some time since I received a circular asking for an analysis of “My Auto- biography” for your ‘Notes on Books,” I have made several futile attempts to con- centrate in a short note what I intended to convey in the volume. I find it impossible to do so. I have therefore endeavoured to place myself as it were outside the book, and to look at it as a stranger might. But even to do this I have been obliged to make two short quotations, which I hope is not contrary to your rules. My description of the book is very imperfect; still, it is the best I could do, for, in fact, to describe it properly would need another book. If any of your Readers can write a clearer descrip- tion for me I should be much obliged.
This explanation is necessary to account
x THE ‘STORY OF MY HEART
for my delay in furnishing the required
note. I remain, faithfully yours,
RICHARD JEFFERIES.