INTRODUCTION

I. THOMAS CARLYLE.

THOMAS CARLYLE, the author of the "Essay on Burns,' is one of the most striking figures in the literary life of the nineteenth century. He described himself as a writer of books," and it was to this end, the writing of books, that he devoted his life. His life was quiet and retired, and, to a considerable extent, was passed even in obscurity. His personality, however, made a marked impression on all whom he met, and this, coupled with the interest roused by the intense individuality of his writings, has brought it about that the details of his life and character are better known than those of almost any other author of recent times. With some writers, it is quite sufficient to know them only from their works, but with Carlyle the case is different. He was so impetuous, so intense, so unconventional in thought and feeling, and these traits are so clearly reflected in his writing, that it is almost impossible to appreciate his works rightly without some knowledge of the

man.

He was born in the little village of Ecclefechan, in the county of Dumfries, Scotland, on the 4th of December, 1795. His father was a mason, and had built with his own hands the house in which his famous son was born. He was a man highly respected for his stern uprightness and thoroughness of work, while he evidently possessed a character far above the ordinary in strength. Carlyle says of him: "More remarkable man than my father I have never

met in my journey through life; sterling sincerity in thought, word, and deed; most quiet, but capable of blazing into whirlwinds when needful; and such a flash of just insight and brief natural eloquence and emphasis, true to every feature of it, as I have never known in any other. It is easy to see where Carlyle obtained some of his traits. His mother also was a woman of great force of character, although neither she nor her husband possessed the culture derived from books.

Thomas was taught to read by his mother at a very early age. At five his father began to teach him arithmetic and sent him to the village school. At seven, an Inspector of schools reported him to be "complete in English. Latin he studied with the village minister, and at the age of ten he was sent to the grammar school at Annan. After four years here it was decided that he should enter the University of Edinburgh, and, accordingly, when not yet fourteen, he walked the eighty miles from Ecclefechan, and presented himself for admission. Comparatively little is known of his life at the university. He worked well, but apparently did more of general reading than of study. He won no prizes, although he distinguished himself in mathematics, but his intimate friends recognized his ability, and prophesied his future distinction. When he completed the course in arts in 1814, it was his intention to enter the ministry, but it was necessary to find some means of support until he was ready for ordination. Teaching seemed to offer the most available opening, and after competition, he was appointed mathematical tutor in his old school at Annan. After two years at Annan he received a similar appointment at Kirkcaldy, where he also remained two years. Carlyle did not like teaching-he was always intolerant of work prescribed-and in 1818 he concluded that "it were better to perish than to continue schoolmastering," resigned his position, and went again to Edin