The Ridpath Library of Universal Literature

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898. Excerpt: ... CARLYLE, Thomas, a distinguished Scottish essayist and historian, born at Ecclefechan, Scotland, December 4, 1795; died in London, February 4, 1881. His father, a devout elder in the kirk, was a stone-mason who subsequently farmed several small pieces of land. Thomas, the eldest son by a second marriage, was sent at the age of fourteen to the University of Edinburgh. He was already fairly grounded in Latin, and mathematics, and read French with facility. Having completed his four years'course at the University, he was for two years mathematical tutor at Annan, then for two years more master of a new school at Kirkcaldy, set up in opposition to the old school, of which Edward Irving was master. The two young men, natives of the same district, had occasionally met at Edinburgh; but they first became fairly acquainted at Kirkcaldy, and a warm friendship sprang up between them. In 1818 Irving and Carlyle went back to Edinburgh, intent upon finding some other career in life. Carlyle had been destined by his pious father for the ministry of the Kirk of Scotland, and had already entered himself as a Student of Divinity. He could study for six years where he pleased, but must present himself every year at Edinburgh, and deliver a discourse before the Faculty and students. Carlyle went up twice for this purpose. On the first occasion he delivered a sermon in English, and on the second a prelection in Latin. He had made up his mind that whatever he might come to be, he could not be a minister in the Kirk of Scotland. This resolve cost him many struggles; and to these he was wont to attribute that chronic dyspepsia which harassed him, more or less, during the remaining threescore years of his life, and had much to do in shaping his character. Forty years later, an A...