The Portland daily press., 1884-11-21
THOMAS cARLYLs's LrFE IN LoNpoY

Mr.. Froude's taste in presenting to the pub
lie his friend as he was, with all his imperfec-
tons, has been severely criticised by persons
who seem to think that the historians office is
to present things as they should be rather than
as they are. To all, however, who want to
become acquainted with Carlyle as he was the
real and not the ideal Carlyle, Mr.. Frouds has
done great service, which will be acknowl-
edged by them gratefully. In the very begin
ming of the book he makes an extract from Car
lyle's journal, which presents the man to us
with ali his egotism and contempt for the opin-
ions OF his fellows, which constituted the most
dissgreeable part of his character, and tb at
part which he seemed most ready to exhibit.
1t is worth quoting. It is dated Oct. 10, 1913:
"Some one writes about notes for a bioprs-
ply in beggaFly Spirit of the Age or rather
rubbish basket-rejected mem. con. What
have 1 to do with their Spirit of the Age?
40 nave my life surveyed and commented on
Dy all men even wisely Is no object with me,
but rather the opposite; how much less to have
1t done anaoiseIy. The world has no business
with my life, the world will never know my
life il it should write and read hundred bioe-
raphies OF me. The main facts of it are known.
and likely to be known to myself alone of cres-
ted men. The goose goddess which they call
'FameP Aeh Gottp'
And yet all this was written down in cool
blood to be read by posterity; written BY
man who was as hungry for the fame which
hc affected to despise as any of his contempo-
Faries. In this book, as in Mr. Froude's for
mer ones, he lets his hero exhibit himself as he
was, If not as he should have been, for which
he should be commended and not blamed.
Mr. Trail1 hos hoon
his sketch of Coleridge for the English Men
OF Letters" Series, and has achieved what was
an exceedingly difficult task in giving o con-
densed and yet satisfactory biography within
the limits prescribed to the manuals of this Sc
ries. No full or thorough Life of Coleridge has
ever been written, and materials for such a life
are not easily come by SO that in accomplish.
ing his work Mr.. Traill finds Several tantaliz-
lzing gaps which refuse to bridge over" in the
career of his subject. 1t is a sad story of re-
narkabe powers combined with will so weak
that it utterly failed in controlling the faults of
temperament Coleridge's life was most un-
happy, but through no severe caIamitles, ex-
cepting those which he brought upon himself
A man OF rare genios, affectionate nature, and
full of brilliant possibilities, he wrecked his
own hopes. His conversation was marvellous
and produced a magical effect upon his listen
ers. 1t is said that the published volumes of
liable Talk" give but faint idea of Cole
ridges extraordinary powers. Writing was irk-
some to him, but in the gentle excitement of
the social circle his dreamy localities and pre-
ternatural subtletiss OF thought" flowed with.
out timDediment. Coleridgs was philosopher
and scholar; bnt his PROSE writings are less
perfect than his poems, "which,' says one
writer, "are probably unsurpassed in any Ian
guage in vivid imagery, solemn intensity of
feeling and rlodulations of verse;"