The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-02


and it is there that Carlyle exhibits his
most pleasing aspect to the generality OF
his readers--unless it be in his occasional
letters and in his pathetic epitaph to his
wife. There is beyond doubt much to
sustain the averment of Mr.. Seeley that
many of Carlyle'sjudgments as to famous
historical characters are all wrong. The
great "hero-worshipper' is by no means
a safe guide either as to his estimates Of
character or events, or as to his opinions.
What Macaulay said of Burke is equally
applicable to Carlyle. He chooses his
side upon imaginative principles, and
then employs all the force of his robust
intellect to advocate that side. The diff
ference is that Burke reasoned, but Car
lyle only afirms and apostrophises; yet
his afirmations and apostrophes are SO
terribly in earnest that they sweep every
thing before them like torrent. Car
lyle, without doubt, had some of the
qualities of a really great historical writer
His erudition was undeniable; and he
had the rare ability ESQ deprecated by
Mr.. Seeley) of clothing the skeleton OF
facts with palpitating flesh and blood.
The most notable of his efforts in this
way is the life of Frederick the Great.
Like Lord Clarendon, and Tacitus, he ex-
cells in biographical analysis and por-
traiture. We think, however, that his
forte was as a critic and prose satirist.
There are few nobler critiques in the Ian
guage, in penetrating insight and elo-
quent feeling, than the Essay on Burns.
The review of Boswells johnson is much
more profound, as well as much more
original, than Macaulay's, and the esti-
mate of Boswell himself, and probably
that of Mrs. Johnson also, making due
allowance for the usual measure of exag-
geration, far truer. The Essays, con.
sidered aside from their fantastic verdicts
on many points, are an excellent intro
duction to German Literature, and have
no doubt turned many man in that di-
rection. Stuart Mill was right in prais-
ing the matter of his writings, and in
saying in reference to the manner that
Carlyle was law unto himself" This
must be qualified by the acknowledge
ment that even when not writing in a
tone of sardonic irony, nearly one hall
that he says Is falsehood or distorted
truth. But, que voulez-rousa The other
half that he says weighs down the greater
part of what has been said by the rabble
of contemporary authors, mostly fools
as Carlyle himself evidently considered
them. No man could see farther, or see
straighter, than old Thomas Carlyle when
his impetuous prejudices did not inter
fere to obstruct or defect his marvellous
power of vision. 1t was his at times to
see what st. Beuve calls "the true YER
ity' of things. His theology and phil
osophy used to be all astray. He began
as sort of idealistic pantheist. Latterly
he has been veering more and more to-
ward biblical orthodoxy. If he was ever
saved to the cause of truth and righteous
ness, it was under Providence, by the
salt of Scotch Presbyterianism and home
bred Scotch common-sense. 1t is proba-
bly, as an intellectual excitant and tonic
that the influence of Carlyle will con-
tinue to be most felt. To change the fig
ure and borrow those of others, an emf
nent living minister once informed us
that when he wanted to make sermon
he read page or SO of Carlyle, and it
made him feel as if his head was hive
of bees; and a gifted lady of this city
APPLY inquiries in literary journal, what
information does the soldier get from the
sound Of a trumpet That trumpet blast
is forever silent. That wonderful tongue
which after closing every mouth at Ok
ford ended by public encomium upon
the golden virtue of SILENCE, is at length
dumb. "Take him for all in all we shall
not look upon his like again"
Distinction Between Moral and