New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-25
n,u n,vs nv 1nNDON.-No. V.

HENRY JAMEs-H1S MORAL INFLUENCE his
RELATIONS WITH NJ. j. CONWAY
,ypoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
RAMS, BADEN, Aug. 3.--The current report at
home that Mr.. Carlyle had spoken of America as
nation of bores did not deter me from seeking an
interview with the venerable sage. / had been one
of the sncerest admirers Of his early writings, ana
in spe of the erotchets of his latter days, had never
ceased TO regard HIM with the grateful reverence
which we feel towards the benetactors OF our MINDS
ba exchange of lett several different occasions
since the issue of SartOr Resartus" IN Boston, ana
bi. friendship for many of my own most intimate
friends in America served to soften the intrusive
ness of my visit and to pave the way for gracious
reception. / was aware of his aversion to the
presence of strangers and of the penurous economy
with which he boards every moment OF ms time, and
Nyas prepared for disappointment in case should
find him difficult of access. NV call was IN the
busiest portion of the day, when knew that ne was
engaged in the absorbing task of revising ms WORKS
for the new edition now passing through tine PRESS
asd did not expect to accomplish anything more
than to appoint time for a future interview With
:. little difficulty. 1 found ms modest dwelling III a
rural suburb of London on the left bank of the
Thames almost concealed from view by high BRICK
wall on the opposite side of the street The ancient
dame who opened the door meekIy informed Inc that
Mr. Carlyle was at home, but would probably not DC
able to see any visitors at that hour Fortfylng my
card with brief note explaining the purpose OIL my
visit and proposing 10 wait upon him at some more
oppOrtuuc moment was at once invited to ms study
IN one flight of stairs 1t was a room of humble
pretensions, looking ont on the blank wall III Iroht
well lined with books that had evidently seen ser
vice in other days adorned with few portraits and
Iasts aud the furniture of the scanest and simplest
description. Mr.. CARLYLE received me without cere-
lnony and in the kindest manner. He remembered
ing name, and expressed pleasure that he had not
been forgotten by his American friends. should
have known him anywhere from his resemblance to
his common photographs, although expected to see
more decided marks of his weight of years Ot
about the middle hight, he stands firm and erect.
His head is not of unusual magnitude, his brow
broad rather than high and his dark eye of brilliant
vlvacity. His hair, to great degree, retains the
color of youth The expression of his face indicates
self-rcliance and decision. His voice is clear and
animated. rising in conversation to the highest
notes and with a strong Scottish accent. He rarely
closes his sentences with an emphatic cadence. the
suspension OF his tone leading yOu to expect sus-
pension Of the sense. His costume was characteristic,
betrayiug Difference to fashion, and adopted for
convenience rather than beauty. 1t was a long gray
robe, something like surtOut, reaching from the
chin the feet, closely buttoned, and giving the
impression Of inmate OF a medieval religious
house
The conversation Of Mr.. Carlyle, like that of Cole
ridge, as his visitors have frequently remarked, Is
principally monOlogue This appears to arise not so
much from Indifference 10 his guests, from abb
sorption in his theme. He talks like of Goethes
demonic men who is taken possession of by some
superior force and speaks only the Spirit gives
tim utterance. You listen TO him as to a weird and
mighty power Of Nature. and would no more think
III iuteuuptng HIM than Of staying the course of the
whirlwind. or of aTesting the current of Niagara
lie leaps from point to point. the lightning the
q
hurled. like lava from a volcano. His discourse
presents a strange agglomeratOn of wisdom, humOr,
prejudice kindly sentiments, bitter antipathies,
pointed savings. curious fantasies. prophetic
uOuncements. indignant protests oddly mingled in
nany-colOred sparkling torrent of impetuOus words
lie seems 70 take secret delight in his own
thoughts aud faHces as il they had struck him for
the Erst time, and sometimes chuckles over them
with burst Of uuearthly laughter if he had just
heard them from some spirit of the air. His fits Of
gee are almost infantile in their vehemence though
S,ually sard0uic IN their character. The fine vein
OF irony which peryades his writings gives equal
pungoucy 10 his conversation. II IS doubtless the
natural expression of his intense earnesncSS of feel
ing which only find sufficient vent in persihage
and eXtrayaeauce. On this account, Mr.. Carlyle is
often misunderstood. IN listening to his talk, you
must constantly keep in mind the intention of the
speaker. without putting TOO literal construction
on bis words. Nor can yOu hold him to d rigid nc
count, As You would a man who expresses himself
with more deliberate purpose, and whose words are
The symbols Of his will Mr. Carlyle gives you little
idea of a conscious personality subject to the con
trOl Of reason, and acting from choice and vOtiOn
he seems rather grand pantheistic force urged
onward by its own laws, with which expression is
identical with existence.
In my interview with him. he spoke With warm
RteCtOuate feeling Of bis old American friends. es-
pecally Of x. w. Emerson and Henry James whom he
always remembered with love, though he had some
times had high words with the latter for his attach
snent to transcendental speculation. Idoubt whether
Caryle's mind is able TO comprehend the plosophc
depth Of Mr. James, and it is no wonder that he
would get little angry at seeing his friend plunge
into fields and forests which to him were nothing
but thorny and desert wilderneSses. OF the per-
sonal traits which so strongly attach each Of those
distinguished men 10 the circle of their acQuaint
Rnce lie spoke not only with admiration, but with
enthusiasm. The condition of America, am bound
10 acknowledge was descanted on by Mr. Carlyle in
terms less remarkable for hattcry than force AS
sure as the Lord reigns" said he, you rushing
down TO hell with desperate velocity. The scum of
lhe world has got possession Of your country, and
BOthing can you from the devils clutches. Not
perhaps cried he raising his voice to its shrillest
notes, hell burning with material fire and brim-
stone. but the wide welterng fiery chaos of corrup-
lion in high places, and the msrule Of the people
fine republic that! England follows in the train,
mud Is even the brink of the internal prcci-
pice-and hell below OF course, could make no
reply TO these prophetic sounds so full Of woe but
waited in silence for the tempest 70 pass over
He soon subsidized into more genial humor dis
Ioursed blandly and wisely on many topics of COM
mon interest was in no haste 20 break off the con-