The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-02
ESPON NOE.
Letter from Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. "a. 1SS-


MeSsrs. -Editors,-The death and burial
of the great Scotchman Thomas Carlyle,
has evoked more than usual criticism
as to the actual influence of this remark
able man, and the usual claims of reli-
gious journals pro and CON as to his reli-
gious status. The career of Carlyle began
when, in 1887, he startled the English
speaking world by the publication of the
most remarkable history written in mod
ern times.
The French Revolution A History by
Thomas Carlyle,
made an unparalleled commotion in lit
erary circles, and advanced its author
suddenly to notoriety and fame. The
language was so strange that ordinary
folks doubted whether it was English, if
it should be read backwards like Hebrew,
or tried upside down. Some said it was
"prose run mad, and others maintained
that it was frightful agglomeration of
strange words and Germanized idioms
that had an effect like that of the Scotch
sermon immortalized in Dean Ramsey's s
story, as "joombling the judgement and
confoonding the sense" The reader had,
indeed, to almost learn new language
and conquer strange terminology, but
he had his reward in being carrid SYM
pathetically through all the lurid scenes
of the great social convulsion and in be-
ing brought into personal acquaintance,
as 1T were, with its heroes and martyrs,
ruffians and patriots The marvellously
pictorial touches of the book carried it
through all the customary shallowness
of criticism, and established the writer
in the front rank of modern literary re-
nown. The moral effect of the book was
In the main wholesome. 1t abolished the
twaddle of misplaced sympathy, which
forgetting the suferings of the people,
kept up sentimental whining over those
of the Aristocrats and the Royal family
of France. Carlyle made it felt that
there was moral cause for the dissolu-
ton OF French society and the monarchy.
They fell to pieces from their own vices
rather than from external assault. He
saw clear through the startling outward
manifestations, and described the true
spirit of the volcanic movement. "Here,"
he exclaimed, "is the miracle" "Out of
that putrescent rubbish of scepticism,
sensuallsm, sentimentalism, hollow ma
chiavellism-a new faith in better things
arose and flowed in the heart of the peo-
pie"
Carlyle's next publication was the
Letters and Speeches of Oliver Crom-
well with characteristic notes. By this
book he rescued the great protector from
his detractors, stripped all the senti-
mental tinsel off the traitor king, and
showed the grandeur of Puritanism
though he frankly admitted its narrow
ness and weakness in the modifying as
sertion that it was by no means the
complete theory Of this immense uni
verse" Cromwell's history was devel-
oped into unity and clearness never
approached before, by the unwearied zeal
OF Carlyle in gathering together from
every corner the relics of the great leader.
Carlyle's merit as historian lies
In His Magical Power of Representa-
ton.
His scenes are all realistic. You not onlv
see the actions Of his heroes but enter
into their minds Such method of con-
celving the past tends inevitably to Hero
Worship the title Of one of his famous
books. He allows nothing for the inhu-
ence Of circumstances or surroundings.
He ascribes everything to the viceger-
ence and powerful will Of individual
men. Indeed his method is a reaction :;
It's very faults are the corrections of that
mechanical school Of history, which omits
human life and treats the movements of
men and nations as if they were no more
than the dance Of dust particles in pre-
vailing wind. Perhaps he was too fond
OF worshipping power, however brutal.
If it was but applied to servicable ends
perhaps he was too fond Of despotism as
method Of quick result. Perhaps he