Author: John Nichol

Publisher:

Published: 2016-09-13

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13: 9781537648194

"A penetrating, well-ordered, and often brilliant analysis of Carlyle from every side - as a political philosopher, as a man of letters, as an historian, and as an ethical teacher." -The Times "A compact and well-ordered account of the different stages of Carlyle's literary career. The chapter entitled 'Decadence' deals with the period from Mrs. Carlyle's death to his own, and discusses in an admirable way the effect of his upbringing and training upon his habit of thought. That done, Professor Nichol is left free to deal with Carlyle's work as an influence apart altogether from his work as a comment upon, or as commented upon by, his life. Professor Nichol does not write in the spirit of hero worship. Even in his general estimates he is wonderfully impartial. The result is that we are left with a strong sense of the greater qualities of the man without being filled (as we are when reading a too enthusiastic memoir) with any irritating desire to recall his less lovely traits." -The National Review "A praiseworthy addition. Dr. Nichol writes as a Scotsman trained by English association....His analysis of Carlyle is shrewd and effective." -The Atlantic Monthly "It seems probably that this book will live as long as English-speaking readers continue to feel a deep interest in the subject, for it embodies in a compact and convenient form all the important facts comprised in the extensive biography by Mr. Froude. Like that work, indeed, the volume before us will not altogether satisfy the more devoted admirers of Carlyle, for his defects are set forth with a candor and thoroughness that may be thought out of proportion to their real significance. Yet none will dispute that the author recognizes the greatness of Carlyle and appreciates the profundity of the mark made by him on the thought and feeling of his time. He sees that English literature has had so such potent individuality since Johnson, and that the influence exercised by Carlyle was of a more spiritual and elevating kind than that exerted by the arbiter of eighteenth-century opinion. Carlyle was a prophet in the Hebrew sense, and his message was that human life must be pitched upon a higher plane." -The Literary News "A refreshingly vigorous recognition of the great position of Carlyle." -The Saturday Review of Politics, Literature, Science and Art "A careful study of Carlyle's writings and various personal impressions and reminiscences." -Publishers Weekly "All portions of the book are interesting....The author admires the grim old philosopher, but wouldn't for anything deprive the world of knowledge of any of Carlyle's faults, which were numerous. On the other hand, he rises above the level of the mere gossiper by making much of his subject's great and noble qualities." -Book News