New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-15
IN CARLYLE'S SCHOOL.
A SCENE WITH THE BEST SCHOLAR OF
KIRKCALDY."
rom The Edinburgh Scotsman.

From The Edinburgh Scotsman.
1t should at once be mentioned that this scene
down 10 its minutestidetails- described by an eye
witness, Cupar-Flfe lawyer and Provost who had
been pupil under Carlyle, and whose representation
of his teachers pecuarltics all the more likely to
be exact and trustworthy from his not having any IDEA
that his Carlyle the queer mortal that st0rmed aud
wallOpd learning into him"-was Identical with the
world famous Thomas Carlyle. This ignorance in the
pupil Of Caryle's career as an author rendered me
only more faithful in itself. but also more richly
curious TO those hearers. all whose knowledge OF
Provost had TO answer several questions and WAS
apparently staggered at the keen interest taken in his
stern schoolmaser; but be obviously explained this to
himself by the humOr which he had she'd into his re
citaL Must he not have quietly put forth Charles
mating 10 strangers One Of those eager hearers was
the well-lmown Edinburgh journalist, Hugh Miller,
I'm Cupar.Flfe. . An elderly gentleman In the
Gupar dlnnerparty described the former teachers
keeping their heads covered and many of the boys,
viewing the peculiar angle at which the hat stood upon
the head and how near IL came TO the eyebrows, could
conjecture If the savage mood were to be that day
predominant - H. 49,. $500,
gloomy discpnarian, with the OF Carlyle, never
wore his hat IN the school and indeed, his brow was
ing eyes constantly shot forth wrath while his pro
trnding chin laden with scOrn, that no extra
lie aid not thrash US either very often very
severely but We had fear that Il provoked he
his mere scowl hush at once the whole school. The
biggest and boldest boys specially dreaded his giIs
wont to grind out the terms Ounce or blockhead.7
Hugh Miller here interposed by asklSg, Did your
teacher burst into strange laugh In school -
i" That IS very odd question returned the Provost
Why do you ask But now that remember, he
had at times a very extraordinary laugh that made
us all stare. II had train Of queer chuchling which
exploded I'm succession Of loud and deep outlaws
that shook his whole body and displayed all HIS teeth
Ike the keys OF plano. He then capped his hands
on the book he held against hi. knees yet none OF
grim smile in rproving pupils, and habit OF tapping
their heads with his knuchles he told them that
Tho head lp Of hat
or the charge of barber. though mammas and aunts
had. that morning combed. Kissed, and blessed them
subimest inventions and designs n
The Provost saw that Hugh Miller and other
One morning, few minutes before the school
hour, when most OF the pupils had arrived, and
a donkey, which had broken loose from ITS tethcr
ON grassy spot near was entering the play ground.
who waS stout and frolicsome lad-the rngleader
IN many sports and tricks-rushed to mount the
animal m AM, oeEan 10 sulne ana iorco II INTO tho
school win desperate squirting the DONKEY was
induced to carry its rider over the threshold and
cr0w1s! Bags Of BOOKS were a. once fastened to the
tal and around the neck OF TIA ass; and busy
brute 10 canter round the school. and to ascend tho
short stair OF the masters dosk that they did NOT
remove the stranger Mr.; Carlyle appeared. We ex-
Peccd tremendous explosion OF wrath. but he burst
stead Of tempting 10 cln In H. produced sudden
and complete hush. aud that renewed again
from The FIRST Step OF he desk chair and nrn5g
round, took pace OF two slowly toward the master
the wsest and best scholar Kirkeady has yet sent
ne; ,l he ut o to be your teacher
wont 10 do ours, and said, There's some me-
thing here. far than IN the skulls Of any Of his
IN ford admiration by papas and mammas and tRougb
that far grander head piece meets only with mcsicss
head and would not allow him IN dlsmount but for
penalty-ordered him to ride I'D and down the school