CARLYLE'S OPINION OF BLAKE.

59

things to the desires of the mind.' Blake thought so too, in common with Plato and Michael Angelo, who in one of his sonnets says-speaking of the mind or soul :

'Above the visible world she soars to seek

Ideal form, the universal mould.'

"By the bye, if you want to see a picture bound by a splendid imagination upon the fine firm old philosophy, do go and look at the Julio Romano (Nursing of Jove) in the National Gallery. That is precisely the picture Blake would have revelled in. I think I hear him say, 'As fine as possible, Sir! It is not permitted to man to do better.'

The progress of the 'Life' was followed with interest by Carlyle, who possessed the 'Job,' which he praised "It showed the author had had real sight in his own. mind of what he painted."

"The Life of Blake" was first offered to Chapman. Carlyle (when giving Gilchrist a letter of introduction to the publisher) said that Chapman was not without judgment of his own, but stingy; would probably only offer me [Alexander] half profits, which meant, as I knew, nothing.' Ultimately, Macmillan undertook to publish"The Life of Blake." Miss Muloch was

reader for the firm at the time.

We must not forget to chronicle the birth of a second son-Herbert Harlakenden-March 18, 1857.

Many were the talks that Anne and Alexander Gilchrist exchanged with Jane and Thomas Carlyle. These conversations have been preserved by Alexander Gilchrist's pen :

'Called on Carlyle about half-past three p.m.

:

Lady Stanley and her friend Miss Brown were there. They talked the usual small talk about the Peace, the Naval Review, and so forth. Carlyle agreed with them. in being glad of peace "on any terms." We couldn't fight. We were the handiest nation for others to fight with, except the Yankees. When he read of their blustering (Carlyle) thought to himself, Well, I think you, at all events, are the handiest nation to fight with I know of; you, at all events, we can tackle.' Opposition from the ladies, who thought the Americans had always beaten us; to which Carlyle dissented.

'Lady Stanley mentioned Montalembert, and his new book on England, as so good; and that he was fond of the English. What did Carlyle think?

'Oh! I think him a very stupid fellow: I believe, too, there is a good deal of abuse of me: I have not read it.' Reverting to the subject of the Naval Review, and what a muddle it had been, Lady Stanley said that it was not to be talked about except under the breath, but the Queen was the cause of the confusion, in not having chosen some other day--the previous day and slept at the Isle of Wight.'

(Carlyle) Well, I suppose the Queen thought it was hard if she, of all her subjects, must choose a day which was inconvenient to her.'

(Lady Stanley) 'Oh! but the line was shut up by her going; and the greedy railway people took more passengers than they could accommodate.'

(Carlyle) I heard, drunken peers were seen about.' (Lady Stanley)No; drunken stokers.'

LADY STANLEY.

61

(Carlyle) Ah! there was a good deal of spirituous liquor going.'

Carlyle asked Miss Brown whether she was related by her ancestors to a Marshal Brown, an Irish Jacobite, and distinguished General in the Austrian service? Carlyle mentioned that there were two Browns, Austrian generals; Marshal Brown the more celebrated. 'A Life of him (French) in existence, which he had never seen. Couldn't find out anything about him.'

Miss Brown didn't know; he probably was related. One Brown (an ancestor) had offered the crown of Ireland to the family; Miss Brown thinks he had been hung.

'It was a hanging business, that.' Carlyle ended by asking her to inquire into the history of the Browns; it would oblige him much.

When I first went in, the ladies were commending Carlyle's beard. There is much to be said in favour of a beard; I see them gradually appearing up and down the world; '—' admitted, upright collars did not go well with them; flat linen ones, which used to be worn with beards were necessary.

"The pretty lady talked much with Mrs. Carlyle, next whom she sat; Miss Brown with Carlyle.

"On leaving, the pretty lady coaxingly said to Carlyle, 'You will come to my Saturday evening? Now don't screw up your mouth so; you must say yes. (Lady Stanley speaking imperatively) Say yes, now.' 'Yes' (round and full), says Carlyle; who then conducted them to the street door. These illustrious people!' he mutters, after they had left.

sion.

One evening at Cheyne Row we talked amongst other things, of rising from the ranks. Carlyle spoke of an old British officer, Colonel who had saved Head, against his will, from causing a rebellion in Upper Canada. The former had been promised rewards, but received none, except a small sum of money and the being made a Poor Knight of Windsor. Buller was to have taken up the case, but died. Colonel ', had been in debt ever since he held a commisThe officer had fought in thirty battles; a wonderful man; simple-minded and good. Wrote a book on the teaching of children under ten; those he considered the most important years of education. This soldier was cured of all doubts of immortality by a vision of Heaven he once had. All the Colonel could remember was a high brass pillar, on which he saw his own face! Looked down on earth and saw his wife weeping; but it affected him not life seemed too short to be considered. The Colonel had had eighteen children—nearly all died. His wife living?

'No; she long was gone to look on the brass column.'

Carlyle laughed heartily when telling this story.

"October 11th, 1859. Called on Carlyle about halfpast eight p.m. Found him in the dining-room, sitting at the table, looking over and marking a book catalogue. Mrs. Carlyle with a number of All the Year Round before her, and knitting.

'Carlyle very genial. He alluded to a cheap copy of the Monthly Magazine, which in an unbound state, had fallen in his way-a companion had rummaged it

CONVERSATION WITH CARLYLE.

63

out of a cupboard, many years ago :-Doesn't remember any earthly pleasure equal to what he had over that.' Remembers in particular, one sentimental story in imitation of Sterne, The Sentinel. A wife had lost her husband in battle, and wished to see his dead body; the sentinel harshly refused; the indignation of the bystanders and relater. In the last degree vapid and watery, doubtless. 'But I (Carlyle) went altogether along with it. Think it was the Lady's Magazine. But I remember no plates.'

'Recollects afterwards, reading Roderick Random, with utmost delight. Remembers the day and hour; the mossy bank on which he sat; the golden rays of the setting sun; and an old Irishman he met on his way home, who had been a soldier. A remarkable man, who lived despised by his fellow-creatures, as a Papist and Irishman recalls his appearance that day. Only an odd volume, the first: when he returned to the shop, the man was obliged to confess he had not the other; but never rested till he got it.

'Remembers a year later first reading Robertson's 'Preliminary Dissertation to Charles V.,' with utmost delight and wonder. Opened to him new worlds of knowledge to be attained; vistas in all directions. Never seen it since: doubtless weak enough; the first book he got any good out of; did not get any good out of the others.

"Carlyle possessed an extraordinary appetite for, love and delight in books during the first part of his life. This lasted for clever books till middle life. Then his appetite began to get ticklish, and now no