The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-21 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Autobiography of the Bev. Alexander Carlyle,
Minister of inveresk. William Blackwood and
Sons, Edinburgh.
This is a very interesting book, and when it is
considered that it treats of eventful times and dis-
courses of celebrated individuals, it is most pro-
bable that its appearance will be duly appreciated.
It is to be regretted that the gifted author of this
work was not able to complete his task. It is
said that the autobiography stops when the pen
literally dropped from the dying author's hand.
" It would be vain and presumptuous to attempt
to carry out his purpose, the intended remains
must be counted amongst the world's literary
losses." He observed at the commencement of his
task that he feared he should not live to complete
it, as he had already entered on the seventy-
ninth year of his age. This fear was realised
while he had still left unchronicled thirty-five years.
It is truly said in the supplementary chapter
that " it would have been extremely interesting
if Carlyle had brought down his autobiography,
to have had his remarks on the new literary
dynasty, of which he lived to see the dawn."
Among other noticeable recoeds given is the fol-
lowing :—" Sir Walter Scott has left a colloquial
sketch of him, which, though of the briefest, is
broad and colossal as a scrap from the pencil of
Michael Angelo. He is discoursing of the coun-
tenances of poets— some that represented the
divinity of genius, and others that signally failed
in that respect ; ' Well,' said he the grandest
demigod I ever saw was Dr. Carlyle, Minister
of Inveresk, commonly called Jupiter Carlyle,
from having sat more than once for the
king of gods and men to Gavin Hamilton, and a
shrewd, clever old carle was he no doubt: " One
of the most interesting facts recorded in this me-
moir is the precocious ministry of the future
preacher. At six years of age he read a portion
of scripture, and the whole of the Song of Solo-
mon, to a score of persons who were excluded from
church by the crowd. Nor was this early effort
of no avail—on the contrary, it was the first step
of the ladder on which he afterwards mounted to
fame. About that time some were praising
his early powers of preaching, and hoped
to live to see him as his father's suc-
cessor. " No, no," said he, " I'll never be
minister of that church, but yonder's my church,"
pointing to the steeple of Inveresk. Some years
afterwards, when it was proposed to make him
minister of that very church, many objected on the
score of his youth, frivolity, etc., but those who re-
membered his early sayings regarded them in the
light of a prophecy that was being miraculously
fulfilled, and so spread the report that all opposi-
tion was vanquished. In this place he remained
for fifty-seven years, and thus in a surprising man-
ner were the earliest visions of childhood des-
tined to be realised. One of the most entertaining
episodes is that which relates to John Home, and
the clamour that arose on the production of his
play. It is a proof that the wisest are sometimes
foolish in their judgments—that Garrick, after
reading the play, returned it with an opinion that
it was totally unfit for the stage. As a sequence
to this it is mentioned further on that " Mr. Home,
after the great success of his tragedy of Douglas in
Edinburgh, went to London and had his tragedy
acted in Covent Garden (for Garrick, though then
his friend, could not possibly let it be performed in
his theatre, after having pronounced it as unfit for
the stage), where it had great success. This tragedy
still maintains its ground, has been more frequently
acted, and is more popular than any tragedy in the
English language." One of the chief merits of this
volume is the commentary on the chief persons of
the country with whom the author mixed in society.
Some very interesting sketches are given of David
Hume, and the following anecdote is very curious :
"At this time David Hume was living in Edinburgh and
was composing his "History of Great Britain." He was
a man of great knowledge, and of a social and benevolent
temper, and truly the best natured man in the world. He
was branded with the title of Atheist, on account of the
many attacks on revealed religion that are to be found in
his philosophical works, and in many places of his History
—the last of which are still more objectionable than the
first, which a friendly critic might call only sceptical.
Apropos of this, when Mr. Robert Adam, the celebrated
architect, and his brother, lived in Edinburgh with their
mother, an aunt of Dr. Robertson's, and a very remarkable
woman, she said to her son, I shall be glad to see any of
your companions to dinner, but I hope you will never bring
the Atheist here to disturb my peace.' But Robert soon
fell on a method to reconcile her to him, for he introduced
him under another name, or concealed it carefully from her.
When the company parted she said to her son, ' I must
confess that you bring very agreeable companions about
you, but the large jolly man who sat next me is the most
agreeeble of them all.' This was the very Atheist,' said
he, mother, that you was so much afraid of.' Well,'
says she, youmay bring him here as much as youplease, for
he's the most innocent, agreeable, facetious man I ever met
' Tme eeee feeler the ease with him; for though he
had much learning and a fine taste, and was professedly a
sceptic, though by no means an atheist, he hadthe greatest
simplicity of mind and manners, with the ut most facility and
benevolence of temper of any man I ever knew. His con-
versation was truly irresistible, for while it was enlightened,
it was naive almost to puerility."
Dr. Carlyle asserts that he did not believe that
Hume really entertained the sceptical principles
occasionally met with in his writings, and that he
was confirmed in this opinion by an intimate friend
of the great historian. When David's mother
died, Mr. Boyle remarked to him that his sufferings
arose from his infidelity, for otherwise he would
believe so good a woman was eternally blest ; to this
Hume replied, "Though I threw out my specula.,
tions to entertain and employ the learned and me-
taphysical world, yet in other things I do not think
so differently from the rest of mankind as you may
imagine." The subjoined remarks on Adam Smith
furnishes us with the opinion of one well qualified
to judge of the remarkable man under considera-
tion.
"Adam Smith, though perhaps only second to David in
learning and ingenuity, was far inferior to him in conver-
sational talents. In that of public speaking they were
equal—David never tried it, and I never heard Adam but
once, which was at the first meeting of the Select Society,
when he opened up the design of the meeting. His voice
was harsh and enunciation thick, approaching to stam-
mering. His conversation was not colloquial, but like
lecturing, in which I have been told he was not deficient,
especially when he grew warm. He was the most absent
man in company that I ever saw, moving his lips, and
talking to himself, and smiling, in the midst of large com-
panies. If you awaked him from his reverie and made him
attend to the subject of conversation, he immediately began
a harangue, and never stopped till he told you all he knew
about it, with the utmost philosophical ingenuity. He knew
nothing of characters, and yet was ready to draw them
on the slightest invitation. But when you checked him,
or doubted, he retracted with the utmost ease, and contra-
dicted all he had been saying."
Further on we meet with a critical comparison
between Blair and Robertson which is sure to at_
tract attention, and which displays some of that
quiet observation and skill of discernment which
would seem particularly-to distinguish the autobio-
grapher
"Dr. Blair was a different kind of man from Robertson,
and his character is very justly delineated by Dr. Finlay-
son, so far as he goes. Robertson was most sagacious,
Blair was most naif. Neither of them could be said to have
either wit or humour. Of the latterßobertson had a small
tincture—Blair had hardly a relish for it. Robertson had
a bold and ambitious mind, and a strong desire to make
himself considerable; Blair was timid and unambitious,
and withheld himself from public business of every kind,
and seemed to have no wish but to be admired as a preacher,
particularly by the ladies. His conversation was so infan-
tine that many people thought it impossible, at first sight,
that he could be a man of sense or genius. He was as
eager about a new paper to his wife's drawing-room, or
his own new wig, as about a new tragedy or a new epic
poem."
One may well be tempted to dwell on this vivid
representation of men who belonged not alone to
their own day, but whose writings remain to orna-
ment the literature of their land through many
succeeding generations. There is much to win
respect in the calm dignity of this consistent man,
who has here presented us with the chronicles of
his long and useful life, as was observed by his
friend Adam Ferguson in the inscription on his
tomb ; he lived ih a period of great lustre to the
country in arts and arms, in literature and science,
in freedom and religion, and verily he too was
worthy of the times, and at the close of the eloquent
description, he says, "and when fall of years, calmly
prepared to die in peace." The concluding words
of the editor, who has well fulfilled his task of ar-
rangement and compilation, are most worthy of
attention, and fitly and appropriately complete
the pages of a work which is rarely surpassed in
interest, alike from its attractive style and its en-
tertaining contents. It presents a delightful sub-
ject of perusal to the readers in search of novelty,
and will most likely add a lasting volume to the
standard libraries of the country of which it treats.
In any case it is the recollections of one who led a
long life of honour, and has set down for the edifica-
tion of posterity whatever that life contained of the
striking or remarkable. The final passage is as
follows :
" So departed one who, if men are to be estimated, not by
the rank which external fortune has given them or the
happy chances they have seized, but by the influence they
have imparted from mere personal character and ability, is
certainly one of the most remarkable on record. Born in a
simple manse, he remained all his days that type of humble
respectability—a village pastor; nor does he seem over to
have desired a higher sphere. His lot was not even cast
on any of those wild revolutionary periods which give men
in his position a place in history ; nor did he attempt any
of those great ventures for literary distinction in which
many of his comrades were so successful. It seems to
have been his one and peculiar ambition that he should
dignify his calling by bringing it forth into the world, and
making for it a
place along with rank, and wealth, and dis-
tinction of every kind. This object he carried through
with a high hand; and scarcely a primate of the prowl,
Church of England could overtop in social position and
influence the Presbyterian minister of Inveresk."

Burst and Blackett's Standard Novels.
The last•three that have been added to this series
are "The Old Judge," "Darien," and, "Family
Rontoce.' Of these it is not necessary to say

much. The accomplished author of "Darien"
has long been appreciated by all readers of refine-
ment and good taste, and his premature death was
a loss not alone to his friends, but to the literature
of his country. "Darien, or the Merchant Prince,"
was not the least successful of his brilliant works,
as is testified by this being the fourth edition.
" Sam Slick's" productions are quite original in
their style, and the many admirers of the humorous
will be gratified at the appearance of another work
of his in this form. " Wise Saws and Modern
Instances," " Nature and Human Nature" having
already !been brought out in'this set, these spark-
ling volumes will now be in the possession of the
purchasers of this elegant standard edition. A more
amusing book than " Family Romance" has hardly
been met with. Its sources of entertainment are
most manifold; it consists of episodes in the do-
mestic annals of the aristocracy, and, of course,
extended over a long period of years ; this account
comprises all classes in its chronicles, as it takes
note of those who have been raised to the peerage
by various means. These last are not the least in
point of merit or attraction in the list of the series
that is one of the best at present appearing among
the multifarious reproductions of the day.

Stories in Verse for the Street and Lane. Being
the Second Series of " Homely Ballads for the
Working Man's Fireside." By Mrs. Sewell.
Smith and Elder.
These are most excellent little tales in verse, and
well adapted to carry out their purpose of spread-
ing the lessons of instruction and carrying the mes-
sage of comfort to the sad hearths of poverty, where
the dark night of ignorance spreads a pall over
the mental faculties, even as the overwork cramps
the powers of the exhausted frame. It must be a
source of satisfaction to the labouring classes to
find something written for themselves, and to bear
themselves addressed as people of mind to under-
stand. It is too much the fashion with those who
really wish to benefit the poor, to make the task a
pound, shilling, and pence affair, either wilfully or
accidentally ignoring the truth that they are not
merely labourers, dependent on health and strength
to toil for their present existence, but fellow-crea-
tures with faculties to cultivate, and with immortal
souls to inspire:and influence. Others go to the
opposite extreme, and inundate the dwellings of
poverty with tracts, filled with terrible denuncia-
tions against sinners, and fearful allusions to the
doom of darkness and the pit of everlasting destruc-
tion, as if they believed that the barriers which shut
out their poor brethren from the good things
of this life are also to exclude them
from those of the better life to come. Between
these mistaken courses lies the wiser road to talus,
which is adopted by the authoress of this little
book. She speaks in a friendly spirit to the
workers of lowly life, who comprise so large a
share of the great human family, whom, we are
told on the highest authority, are all equal in the
eyes of their Maker. There is nothing of a style
to encourage morbid ideas of the impossibility of
content under trouble, nothing of the absurd no-
tions of equality to uproot the social fabric and
leave all worse than before, inasmuch as the law-
less and cruel would have the upper hand ; nothing
of a kind to engender an angry feeling against
authorities, nor any mistaken views of rights and
wrongs to be met with in a line of this volume. If
it cheers any depressed spirit, if it carry consola-
tion to any afflicted soul, the object attained will
be a blessed one ; and these homely lines, with their
gentle words of kindly hints, are far more calcu-
lated to effect a change among evil doers than all
the denunciations offierce fanatics. The still small
voice of mercy and of peace best befit the language
of those who presume to be the expounders
of that religion whose Founder was born
amongst the poorest of the poor, as
was beautifully expressed in the sermon in "My
Novel." " Your worldly inferior is of the class from
which the Apostles were taken, in the midst of
whom the Lord of Creation descended from a throne
above the seraphs." The style of this little work is
best exemplified in its own earnest words. In these
selections the spirit of the entire production if/
manifested. In the Child's Dream we see the
brightest consolation that can be bestowed on
sorrow, and the only one which is valid in the
darkest hour that earth can know. In the other
verses there is a deserving tribute paid to those
who are the bulwarks of their country in the time
of need, as the poet truly expressed—
‘4 A virtuous populace may rise the while,
And stand a wall of fire around their much-loved isle."
It is the same steadfast endurance which bears
unflinchingly the sharp trials of poverty that in
the day of danger exchanges endurance for action,
and
" Drives our English hearts of oak seaward round the
world,"
to maintain the supremacy of Britain on the deep,
and on land supplies the ranks of the army that
has conquered in every quarter of the globe :
" I cannot tell you how I went,
My spirit seemed to fly,
I left the earth behind and flew
Right upward to the sky ;
And I was singing as I went
I was so full of joy.
•
"I saw ten thousand faces there,
All beaming like the sun,
Such blessed joy and happiness
On all their faces shone,
And when they sang, their voices seemed
To mingle all in one.
" And there I saw the Saviour stand,
My very heart did melt—
Al I mother, I can never tell
How happy then I felt,
When He looked down and smiled on me,
As at his feet I knelt.
" Oh I how I wish that you could dream
My dream a little while,
And see that shining company
Rejoicing in his smile ;
I think 'twould give you heart to bear
Oar poverty and toil."
" Well child, perhaps it might be so,
If I had less to bear ;
But now I'm almost worn to death,
And driven to despair :
'Twould be hypocrisy in me
To talk of God and prayer."
"Oh mother, don't you recollect
The words which Christ addressed
To weary, heavy-laden souls,
With care and sin distressed :
He said if they would come to Him,
That He would give them rest.
"Do let us try to bear our lot,
However hard it be,
And take our troubles all to Him,
Who looked so kind at me;
And think how pleasant rest Will be
Throughout Eternity."

And in our dark alleys, our fields, and our mines,
Whore the sun of prosperity scantily shines,
Unheard of by fortune or fame,
We have fine manly hearts that in solitude bleed, I
Yet leave to their country a right noble seed,
To inherit a patriot's name.
You are needed, brave hearts, that are facing the toil,
And bearing unnoticed the wearisome moil,
That presses on every day.
We want the great souls that will suffer and dare,
And all the inglorious martyrdom bear
Of poverty's dreary decay.
Bear up for awhile, ye are warriors good;
Be true to your country, yourselves, and your God,—
The day of account draweth nigh ;
Then ye, who work hard in obscurity now,
May find a bright crown is prepared for your brow,
And a home in the mansions on high.

Modern Statesmen. By J. Ewing Ritchie, author
of " The London Pulpit," &c., &c. Tweedie,
Strand.

These able and effective sketches of our principal
politicians are reprinted from the pages of the
National lthzgazine, of which serial the author is
now the editor. They are supposed to be taken from
the Strangers' Gallery of the House of Commons,
and describe the characteristics of our leading
speakers as well as giving an outline of their
career and an account of their views on the great
problems of the day. The Prime Minister, Foreign
Secretary, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, are
of course prominent figures in this gallery of pho-
tographs, and the negotiator of the famous French
treaty, which does not seem to have been very
productive of commercial prosperity, is not over-
looked. The brilliant leader of the Opposition
occupies a conspicuous place, accompanied by tho
late First Lord of the Admiralty, the Indian and
Colonial Secretaries, and the Conservative Attor-
ney-General for Ireland. Besides the chiefs of the
great parties, we have the independent members re-
presented in Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Horsman, Mr. Lind-
say, Mr. Fox, and the late Mr. Henry Drummond.
The author expresses his regret that the publication
of his work had proceeded too far to allow the
omission of the sketch of the late Sir Charles Napier,
feeling that an essay written when its subject was in
health and life may jar on the reader, if read
when he has so lately been laid in his grave. The
sketches are all written with animation and vita-
lity, and show a thorough acquaintance with the
parliamentary world; and although every reader
will naturally dissent from some of his opinions,
and differ from his estimation of the relative merits
and abilities of our public men, yet the work
is written throughout with tolerable moderation.
andimpartiality, and is not likely to offend the
prejudices of either side.

Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Phy-
siology. By 0. S. and L. N. Fowler, Practice.'
Phrenologists. Tweedie, Strand.
Those who wish to study the general laws of
health and disease, and to examine the theories of
phrenologists, should avail:themselves of the sews-
Once of this volume, whose analysis of form and