New-York daily tribune., 1861-01-19


willing to wait for it century, is pretty sure OF
earning it if he will write an autobiography, pro-
yided his life has brought him into intercourse
with the historical men and events Of his age.
DIR. Carlyle was noted pillar in his day of the
Scotch Church, and so far famous in his genera
tion; but the fact that he left an autobiography
behind him has kept his memory green, and its
publication now viii make his name household
word where it was never known before. Walter
Scott, who regretted that this autobiography had
not been published, said that he was called Ju-
piter Carlyle, from having sat moro than once
for the King Of Ged's and men to Gavin Hamll-
ton-a statement which the editor of this present
volume doubts-but, Sir Walter adds, he was
'Sethe grandest old demigOd / ever saw"
Another contemporary who met him when on
some mission to London on Church affairs, says
g his portly figure, his fine expressive counte-
nance, with an aquiline nose, his flowing silver
locks, and the freshness of the color of his face,
made prodgiOus impression upon the courtiers;
but it was the soundness of his sense, his hon.
Orable principles, aud his social qualities, un-
mixed with anything that detracted from or un-
becoming, the character of clergyman, gave
{. him his place among the worthless" The reader
will find this impression of his character con-
frmed by the autobiography, and will especially
i be impressed with the vigor of intellect and
strength of memory which, in the eghtleth year
of so stirring and active life, could produce
such volume, not less remarkable for its
minuteness of DETAIL in regard TO persons and
things, than for its lively and entertaining quail
ties.
DR.. Carlyle was born in l722, and died at the
age of eighty His own character and ability
necessarily gave him prominent part to play in
fbe ecclesiastical history of the period in Scot
land, and threw him also into the closest fellow
ship with the best minds Of the most intellectual
age of that country. Some of the most noted
fnen of the last century in Scotland were fellow
students with him at Edinburgh and Glasgow;
with others he formed in'imacies later in iite
But there seems to have been hardly man of
mark at that time in Scotland, and few in
England whom he did not know. One lays
down the book with regret only that the old
mans life was not spared long enough to enable
him to give his recollections of other celebrities
who were crowdlng on the stage as he was about
10 leave it. An extract here and there will
show the quality of the book. The first we make
will not, we fear, be welcome to the cherished
belief in an incident which has 50 long been held
among piOus people, as miraculous conversion
II is the case of the celebrated Col Gardiner,
who, when Carlyle was young man, moved
into his fathers neighborhoOOd at Prestonpans,
near Edinburgh He says:
The first Gardiner who afterwa I'd killed in the
battle of Preston was noted enthusiast, very weak
honest and brave man, who had once been grea
rake and was converted, as be told my father oy hp
reading a book called GuInalls Christian Armor
which his mother had put in his trunk many years be-
fore He had looked at 1t till one day at Pans
where he attending the Earl OF Stair, who wa
Eubassador TO that Court from the year l7l5 TO th
Regents death when, having an intrigue with sur
geons wife, and the beur Of appointment not beint
come he thought he would pass the time In turning
over the leaves of the book to see what the divine
could cav about armor which he thought he understood
as wellas he. He was much taken with this book
that be allowed his hour of appointment to pass never
saw his mistress more and from that day left OIL all nj;
Yakish habits Which consisted in swearing and whor
ing flor be never was drnkerl and the contempt Of
. sacred things, and became serious good Christian
ever after. ,
DIR. Doddrdge has marred this story, eithor through
mistake OF through desire to make Gardeners con
version supernatural for be says that hs appoint
,nent was at midnight and introduces some sort Of
meteor or blaze of light that alarmed the new convert
But this was not the case; for have heard Gardner
tell the story least three or four times 20 different
sets of pecple--for he Wac not shy or backward 70
il was at midday, forth appointment wasat o'clock;
and he told the reason OF it, which was that the
surgeon apOthecary, had shown some symptoms OF
Jealousy, and they chose time Of day when he Yas
necessarily employed abroad in his business.
have also conversed with my father upon 1t, after
Doddrdge's book was published, who always persisted
in saying that the appointment at clock for the
reason mentioned and that Gardner having changed
his lodging he found a book when ruInmaging old
trunk TO tie bottom, which my father said Cur
nails Christian ArInor, but 10 which DOdddge gives
tbe name of The Christian Soldier, or Heaven Taken
by Storm, by Thomas Watson. Doddridge, in note,
rays that bis edition of the story confirmed IN a
letter from Rev. Mr.. Spears, in which there was not
the least difference from the account he had taken
down in writing the very night In which the Colonel
had told him the story. This Mr. Spears bad been
Lord Oranges chaplaiD, and knew him 10 have no
great regard to truth, when deviating from it suited
bis purpose; st any rate, he was not man to contra
dict Doddridge who had most likely told him bis story.
IT is remarkable that though the Doctor had written
down everything exactly, and could take his OATH yet
he had omitted mark the day Of the week on which
the conversion happened, but, if not mistaken thinks
1t was Sabbath. This aggrayates the sin OF the ap-
pointment, and hallows the conversion.
The Colonel, who was truly an honest, well-meaDing
man, and pious Christian, who was very oseptaousi
though tell the TRUTH he boasted oener OF hs con-
version than Of the dangerous battles he had been n
As be told the story, however there notbiDg super
natural In IT, for many rake Of abOut thirty years of
age has been reclaimed by circumstance that set
him thinking the accidental reading Of this book
had done to Gardiner. He was very skilful horse
man. which had recommended him TO Lord Stair a
suitable part Of his train when lie was ElnbassadJr at
Paris, and lived in great splendor. Gardiner married
Lady Frances Erskine, one OF the daughters OF the
Karl of Buchan lively little deformed woman very
re0ious and great breeder Their children were no
way distinguished except the eldest daughter, Fanny,
who was very beautiful and became the wife Of Sir