New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-20
NICHOLS CARL YLE.
A VERY GOOD BIOGRAPHY.

THOMAS CARLYLE By John Nic,ol. IL. D., NJ. A.,
etc. lomo, PIP. o57. Harper brothers.
Professor Nicnol has written by far the best
short biography of Carlyle II is necessarily IN
some respects an addition 10 Mr. Froude's life; but
it travels over much new grouni. and is c.ti-
mates and judgments are distinguished by a
breadth and fairness which are indeed refreshing
after the carping. narrow and in all ways small
and ignoble criticism which has been ,howcrcd
upon the grave OF Carlyle Professor Nchol
knew his subject well, and he has set out simply
and maniully, 10 do his memory Justice There
is not one line Of fulsomc culogy between the
covers OF this volume, nor Is the writer's iudg-
ment at any time rnncasurcd. He weighs his
facts with care, and delivers his opinion with a
certain rcticcncc. There is clearly strong
Intellectual bond between the two minds.
The biographer understands his subject because
of this community " mental constitution. If
Professor Nichol does not exhibit any tendency TO
gush over the woes of Jane Wcch CARLYLE.
it is plainly because his knowledge Of the
Carlyle regime exceeds that Of most persons
who have undertaken 70 moraize on the topic.
The English Men OF Letters series. in which the
present volume appears, Is enriched by the con-
tribution of Professor Nichol, an particularly is
1t valuable for the new and abundant light which
it throws upon the intellectual life Of Carlyle In
regard to this the general tendency Of the new
light Is 10 humanize the subject as Froude has
somehow failed TO do. We are enabled in these
pages TO see Carlyle, not as constantly moroec
and dyspcptic worker, who was always snarling
at the world Int rs O man very much like other
lnen, with alternating moods with plentiful
flashes of merriment, with grateful bursts Of mag
nanlmity We see him in cheerful social con-
eni Irwin 10 nj wit ri,
forth literary judgments by pecvsh or i'll
natured, but full of penetration and subtle per
ception. We see how he was affected by the
weather or the hundred and one petty conditions
Of life and we note how frequently he bore with
almost stOicdl cqudnmity discomfors and vexa-
tons winch would have driven wild a really i'll
natured man.
Professor Nicho clearly pcrcelves the limita-
tons Of Carlyle, and unhesitatingly points them
out. The great Scotchman so constituted
that he could lot comprehend, and consequently
could not do justice TO, characters which differed
radically from his own. On some OF these his
recorded Judgment, however, will always be in
tcrcstng. if only because Of their blindness No
doubt il would have been more &c his credit had
he RETAINED from criticising where he did not
understand: but poor human nature is seldom
robust on that point and very few Of MS probably
can afford 10 fling the first stone at him on that
account
An interesting part of Professor Nichols book
is that which treats Of Carlyles travels, abroad
and at home. when he was seeking material and
verifying authorities for his historical works.
The pains he took sufficient proof OF his
conscientionsnes~. In Germany, while working up
his Frederick the Great, he delved and burrowcd
in perfect mines Of musty literature, emerging at
intervals with signs and CALCULATIONS. for the
discipline was severe. Once he wrote " am dead
stupid my heart nearly choked out OF mo- and
my head churned 10 pieces and considering the
mode Of travel at that time-in "stillwu4ens- it
is not much 10 be wondered at Nevertheless he
got much good ont Of these painful Journeys, and
it does not appear that his health suffered seriously
from them But Friedrich" was awful as
Mrs Carlyle said. and oven the Professor calls it
1.-THE Minotaurr There can lie no doubt that
the prolonged heavy toll over It interfered with
whatever approach 10 home happiness existed
previously in Chcyne Row. If it did not. in the
hypcrbolical language Of the impulsive lady Of
the house. make prolonged and entire devnsta-