Books with title Hodge and His Masters, Vol. 1 of 2

Originally published in 1880, this is a collection of essays by the English nature writer and novelist Richard Jefferies. We are republishing this work with a brand new introductory biography of the author with the aim of placing it in the context of his other writings. The following passage is an extract from the author's introduction: '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.'

Originally published in 1880, this is another of Richard Jeffries' country masterpieces that have been rediscovered by a later generation. In his introduction to this edition, C. Henry warren writes, "The abiding impression of Hodge and His Masters is one of a rare comprehension of the country character in all its complexity and an extraordinary grasp of the factual details of country life. A novel could scarcely be more absorbing in the variety of its characters drawn from life by a master-hand, whilst to the student it is an invaluable mine of information". Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include : The Farmers' Parliament Leaving His Farm A Man of Progress Going Downhill The Borrower and the Gambler An Agricultural Genius, Old Style The Gig and the Four-in-Hand A Bicycle Farmer Haymaking "The Juke's Country" The Fine Lady Farmer, Country Girls Mademoiselle, the Governess Fleeceborough, A "Despot" The Squire's "Round Robin" An Ambitious Squire The Parson's Wife A Modern Country Curate The Solicitor "County-Court Day" The Bank, The Old Newspaper The Village Factory, Village Visitors, Willow-Work Hodge's Field A Winter's Morning The Labourer's Children, Cottage Girls The Low "Public" Idlers The Cottage Charter, Four-acre Farmers Landlords' Difficulties, The Labourer as a Power-Modern Clergy A Wheat Country Grass Countries Hodge's Last Masters

John Richard Jefferies was an English nature writer, essayist and journalist. He wrote fiction mainly based on farming and rural life. From early in life he showed a great love of the countryside, but was temperamentally unsuited to follow his father as a farmer, and in 1866 he found employment as a newspaper reporter for the North Wiltshire Herald and the Swindon Advertiser. In late 1877 he moved to Surbiton to be nearer the hub of literary England. His new surroundings defined him, as a country writer. Articles drawing on Jefferies' Wiltshire experiences were snapped up by the Pall Mall Gazette, to be followed by similar collections of essays, like Round About a Great Estate (1880). About this time he wrote his extraordinary autobiography, The Story of My Heart: An Autobiography (1883).

Originally published in 1880, this is another of Richard Jeffries' country masterpieces that have been rediscovered by a later generation. In his introduction to this edition, C. Henry warren writes, "The abiding impression of Hodge and His Masters is one of a rare comprehension of the country character in all its complexity and an extraordinary grasp of the factual details of country life. A novel could scarcely be more absorbing in the variety of its characters drawn from life by a master-hand, whilst to the student it is an invaluable mine of information". Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include : The Farmers' Parliament Leaving His Farm A Man of Progress Going Downhill The Borrower and the Gambler An Agricultural Genius, Old Style The Gig and the Four-in-Hand A Bicycle Farmer Haymaking "The Juke's Country" The Fine Lady Farmer, Country Girls Mademoiselle, the Governess Fleeceborough, A "Despot" The Squire's "Round Robin" An Ambitious Squire The Parson's Wife A Modern Country Curate The Solicitor "County-Court Day" The Bank, The Old Newspaper The Village Factory, Village Visitors, Willow-Work Hodge's Field A Winter's Morning The Labourer's Children, Cottage Girls The Low "Public" Idlers The Cottage Charter, Four-acre Farmers Landlords' Difficulties, The Labourer as a Power-Modern Clergy A Wheat Country Grass Countries Hodge's Last Masters

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.

John Richard Jefferies was a 19th century English nature writer, noted for his depiction of English rural life in essays, books of natural history, and novels. His childhood on a small Wiltshire farm had a great influence on him and provides the background to all his major works of fiction. Hodge and his Masters is a collection of essays first published in the Standard.

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

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 beguis 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.(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the aged text. Read books online for free at