The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-06-26

ossss.psy - Tss..s Carlyle.
Thomas Caylyle was born a. Ecclefechan,
His parents were ''sood far
mer people," bis father an elder in the Sc
cession Church there, and man Of strong
native sense, whose words were said to email
a subject to the wall" His excellent mo-
Their sill lives, and we had the pleasure Of
meeting her lately in the company Of her
illustri0us son; and beautiful it was to see
his profound and tender regard, and her
motherly and yearning reverence. to hear
her fine old covenanting accents, concerning
with his transcendental tones. He studied
in Edinburgh. Previous to this. he had be-
come intimate with Edward Irving, an in
timacy which continued unimpaired to the
close of the latter's eccentric career. Like
most Scottish students, he had many strug
giles to encounter in the course Of education;
and had, We believe, to support himself by
private tuition, TRANSACTIONS, &c. The day.
star Of German literature arose early in his
soul, and has been his guide and genius ever
since. He entered into correspondence
with Goethe, which lasted at intervals till
the latter's death. Yet he has never, We
understand. visited Germany. He was orig
inally destined for the church. At one time
he taught an Academy at Dysart, at the same
time that Irving was teaching at krkaldy.
After his marriage, he resided, partly at
CoInely Bank, Edinburgh; and for year
or two in Craigenputtock, wild and soil
tary farm house in the upper part Of Dunn
friezhire. Here, however, far from society,
save that of the "great dumb monsters of
mountains he wearied out his very heart.
A ludicrous story is told Of Lord Jeffrey
visiting him in this out-Ofthe-way region,
when they were unapprised of his coming,
had nothing in the house fit for the palate
Of the critic, and had, in dire haste ard po-
Their, to send for the wherewithal to mar
ket town about fifteen miles off Here, too,
as We may see hereafter, Emersoa, on his
way home from Italy, dropped in like spirit,
spent precisely twenty -four hours, and then
''iorth uprose that lone way-faring man, to
return to his native wood.
He has, for several years Of late, resided
in Chelsea, London, where he lives in a
plain, simple fashion; occasionally, but sell
dom, appearing at the splendid soirees Of
Lady Blessington, but listened to, when he
goes, as an oracle; receiving, at his tea-ta-
BILE, visitors from every part Of the world ;
forming most amicable centre for men Of
the most opposite opinions poets and
preachers, Pantheists and Puritans. Tenny
sons and Scots, Cavanaighs and Erskines
Sterlings and Robertsons, smoking his per-
petual pipe. and pouring out his quaint phil.
osoPhy. His appearance is fine, without
being ostenta,iously singular; - his hail
dark his brow marked, though neither
very broad, nor very lofty bis eye, the
truest index Of his genius, flashing out, al
times, wild and mystic fire from its dark
and quiet surface. He is above the natural
size, dressed carefully. but without any sp
proach to foppery. His address, somewhat
high and distant a. first, soitens into simpli
city and cordial kindness. His CONVERSE
ton is abundant, inartfcial, flowing on
and warbling as it flows, more practical
uldii you "ouiu CAictt nuLi ulc Cast oi i4l'
writings, picturesque and graphic in a higf
measure, full of the results of extensive ant
minute observation, often terribly direct ant
strong, garnished with French and German
phrase, rendered racy by the accompani
ment Of the purest Annandale accent, an,
coming TO lis climaxes, ever and anon, il
long, deep, chest shaking bursts OF laughter
Altogether, in an age of s;nsularities
Thomas Carlyle stands peculiarly alone
Generally, and warmly appreciated, he ha
become - popular, in the strict sense he i
not, and may never he. His works ma,
never climb the family library. nor his nam
become a household word; but while tn
Thompsons and the Campbells shed thei
gentle genius, like light, into the howell. Tn
shop o. the artisan and the shieling Of III
shepherd, Carlyle, like the Landors an
Lambs Of this age, and the Brownies an,
Burtons Of the past, will exert a more limi
ted but profounder power, cast DINNER bu
more gorgeous radiance attract fewer bu
more devoted admirers, and obtain an equal
and perhaps a more enviable Immortality
I-Gtlfllans' Sketches.