1

THOMAS CARLYLE

A HISTORY OF HIS LIFE IN LONDON

1834-1881

BY

JAMES ANTHONY FROUDE, M.A.

HONORARY FELLOW OF EXETER COLLEGE, OXFORD

WITH PORTRAIT ENGRAVED ON STEEL

IN TWO VOLUMES

VOL. I.

FOURTH EDITION

LONDON

LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

1885

All rights reserved

CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

INTRODUCTORY

CHAPTER I.

A.D. 1834. ET. 39.

Beginning of life in Cheyne Row-First winter in London---John

Sterling-Offers of employment on the 'Times' not accepted, and

why-Begins History of the French Revolution'-Carlyle's inter-

pretation of it-Extracts from Journal-London society-Litera-

ture as a profession-John Mill-The burnt manuscript-Resolu-

tion to continue the book-Meets Wordsworth

PAGE

. 1

8

CHAPTER II.

A.D. 1835. ET. 40.

The first volume to be replaced--Poverty and depression-John Ster-

ling-Maurice on the Articles-'Sartor'-Carlyle's Theology-Style

---Invitation to America-Thoughts of abandoning literature-Re-

flections in Hyde Park-Book to be finished-London drawing-

rooms First volume rewritten

CHAPTER III.

A.D. 1835-6. ÆT. 40-41.

Visit to Scotland-Hard conditions of life-Scotsbrig--Return to

London-Effort of faith-Letter from his mother-Schemes for

employment-Offer from Basil Montagu-Polar bears-Struggles

with the book-Visit from John Carlyle-Despondency-Money

anxieties--Mrs. Carlyle in Scotland-Letters to her- Diamond

Necklace' printed-French Revolution' finished.

33

57

CHAPTER IV.

A.D. 1837. ET. 42.

Character of Carlyle's writings-The French Revolution' as a work

of art-Political neutrality-Effect of the book on Carlyle's posi-

tion-Proposed lectures-Public speaking-Delivery of the first

course-Success, moral and financial-End of money difficulties-

Letter to Sterling-Exhaustion-Retreat to Scotland.

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87

CHAPTER V.

A.D. 1837-8. ET. 42-43.

Effects of the book-Change in Carlyle's position-Thoughts on the

cholera-Article on Sir Walter Scott--Proposals for a collection of

miscellanies-Lord Monteagle-The great world-T. Erskine---

Literature as a profession-Miss Martineau-Popularity-Second

course of lectures-Financial results-Increasing fame.

114

CHAPTER VI.

A.D. 1838-9. ET. 43-44.

Visit to Kirkcaldy- Sees Jeffrey-Sartor '-Night at Manchester-

Remittances from Boston-Proposed article on Cromwell-Want

of books-London Library-Breakfast with Monckton Milnes-

Third course of Lectures-Chartism-Radicalism-Correspondence

with Lockhart-Thirlwall-Gift of a horse-Summer in Scotland

-First journey on a railway.

CHAPTER VII.

A.D. 1839-40. ET. 44-45.

Review of Carlyle by Sterling--Article on Chartism offered to Lock-

hart-Expanded into a book--Dinner in Dover Street-First sight

of Dickens-Lectures on Heroes-Conception of Cromwell-Visit

from Thirlwall-London Library-Impressions of Tennyson-

Reviews-Puseyism - Book to be written on Cromwell.

CHAPTER VIII.

A.D. 1840-1. ET. 45-46.

144

169

Preparation for Cromwell '-Nervous irritability-A jury trial-Visit

to Fryston-Summer on the Solway-Return to London and

work-Difficulties in the way- Offer of a professorship-Declined 203