New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-07
Mr.. CARLYLE's ESSAY on JOHN KNOX.


The first articlein Ed'er's Magazine for April,
on TIE Portraits OF John KNOX," IL by Mr. Thomas
Carlyle. II o the various portraits of kuox bus
Is also 90 essay Knox himself Theodore Bcza. the
friend Of Calvin, published in I5sO book llusiroGs
men, including what purp1rted TO be portrait and
memoir OF Johannes CnVxus" Mr.. CarIyes article IL
based Oh tbs book or the portrait and nieno.r he
says:
Hcrcis gentleman seemingly OF quite upe ptc not
say stOd aut thou ghtless frame OF mind muen 40 his
in Zion amt content 10 take things a. they come
only will let hun sleep whole SKIN, and digest
his v"tual' En0N. you cGn well perceive, III AZ ms
Writings and IN al MA way Of me- was einpnatciv OK
Scottish build; emiDenby national sDecnoi--in fact,
what might crnOmnate Inc most scottish of scots.
and 70 this day typical OF all me Qualities "nch oeong
or had record Of utmost sharpness OF discern
ment and discrimination, courage enough. and. what
II stu Dtt,er no pariicuat conscio9sehs ol courage
but readiness In AL simplicity To do and dare whatsO-
commanded by the inward voice OF native man.
hood on tic whole beautiful and simple hnt complete
aDty With vhateycrs IA ,c IN word or conduct;
inexorable contempt and deesaton Of what IN modern
speech Is called numoug Noihng hypocrltea iooisn.
or untrue eau lind harbor in this man; a pure and
OF genial humor not wanting under his severe aus
terity: occasional grow OF sarcastic indignation
secretly an extensive fund or that disposition. kept
mainly silent, though inwardly In daily exercise; I.
most clearcur hardy distinct. and effective man. fear
iug God and without any ether lear VI all tins you IN
vain search for the smallest trace ia thIs poor ieo OF
BcZas No feature OF q scottish man traceabe theve,
indeed you would cay. OK any man at all; an en-
tirely in.pd, e1pressonle-- Individuality more IKE tLo
inZ man; highly unacceptable 10 every physiosnOpo
Scotus Under these circumstances t Is not surprise.
and is almost consolation 10 find hat BeZs has ~ ut
Ito knowledge Of KnoI's biography OF his natural
face Nothing here, or hardly anything but DIotch "
ignorant confusion.
In regard to Knox himself, Ir. Carlyle says:
The grand Italian Dante not in earnest about
this inscrutabe lmnensity than Knox 10 There IS IN
Knox throughout the spirit Of AL old Hebrew Prophet
rlay have been Moses IN the Desert at sish5
OF the Burang Bush; spirit almost altogether uniq1e
modern men, and along Win AL ms ~ SipeL!.r
heart but deep aud Of piercing venenence. and
inward galey Of SOUL alive 10 the rldcue that dwes
in whatever rdiculous In fact fine vein OF MINOR
witch 10 wanting 10 Dante IL may surprise many
reader Il VIC designate John Knox az ban of
Genus" and truly IL was not with wha we call Liter
allure" and narmonles and symmetres addressed 20
mans Imagination, tAat Knox WAS ever ior
alone, addressed to mans Utmost Belief. with
immutabe facts, accepted ny him. II he Is OF loyal heart
grees OF It Is therefore still higher ute than
" Man OF Genius that will belong to Knox that OF
heeycnnsplrcd and heroic leader OF men, Bat by
whatever call II, KnoCs spiritual endo" ment
is tie most distinguished Class inIrlnslcaIy capable
OF DObest In literature and III rdr higher
things. HIS books, especially his g story OF tho
Reformation" well read whch unfortunately IL not
possible Og every AMI las grave preliminary dln
C.b one TESTIFY IN pr:s Of them TO the inee, qualities
that belong 20 human intellect; still more evidently
to those OF the Goral emotional or sympathetic SORT or
that concern the religious s,de Oh mans SOU ar,,nr
that kncxs hasty and strangely lnteeStlns IMPRESSIVE
ana Pc has NOT Seen rendered far more eI
tensiyey legi6e to serious mankind at large than 10
hitherto the case.
The following reference Is made to the relations DO
tween Knox and Mary Of Scotland:
The interviews Of Knox with the Queen are what one
would Ike to produce TO readers; but uniortu-
natey they are OF tone which, explain might not
one reader III thousand could be made TO sympataze
with 10 justice " ID bebai or Knox lie tTeatnehs
which that young beautiful and high chef parsonage
IN scotland from the rigorous Knox would 70
most modern men, irreverent, cruel, almost bar
barous. Hero than elsewhere Knox proves nun"
han ler
brow PrOphc: complete perfection refuses 70 soften
any xpres-ion or call anything by ts nilder name.
or in short moment 10 forget that the Eternal
God and His Word great, and that al else IS lte,
or is nothing nay II I! SET ieef against the Most High
and His Word the frghtful thing that ths world
exhibits he Is ne in the Least l-tempered with her
Majesty; hut she kim from that fixed cen
ter OF all his thoughts and actOns Do the will OF God.
and rembe at nothing 90 against the Will OF God, and
know that the Immensely ind the Eternity around
YOU there nothing but matter VI terror Nothing can
move Knox here or elsewhere from that standing
ground consideration OF Queens scepters aud ar
mics and authorities OF ~ Of efficacy or dignity
whateve. comparison; ara becomes not oeaGufu Das
horrible when ir sets Itself against the Most Ish