THE GRAVE OF RICHARD JEFFERIES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
Sin,—In the month of July, 1893, I made a pilgrimage to the grave of Richard Jefferies, and in each succeeding year until 1902 I have paid one or two visits to Broadwater Cemetery (on the last occasion in the company of Richard Jefferies'e only son). Some five or six years back I arranged with one of the attendants for the grass to be cut and the cross raised, it being slightly out of the perpendicular. Having paid for these little services in advance, I was much mortified a fortnight later to find nothing had been done ! Since then I and a friend have been to the grave every spring and cleaned the cross and tidied up the mound. Circumstances prevented my visiting the cemetery last year, so I presume the grave has been neglected since 1901. The whole question of the upkeep of graves in cemeteries is, I consider, one which is open to much criticism. Surely the authorities themselves should cut the grass and see to the preservation of the tombstones in some kind of decency. It is evident that we must not trust to sextons or others employed in the graveyards, unless pre- pared to pay well and personally to supervise the work.—I am, Sir, Stc., A. T. C. P.S.—Jefferies did not die at Mr. Hide's house, but at Sea View, Goring, Sussex.--A. T. C.
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