THOMAS CARLYLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1040, 12 June 1924, Page 6

THOMAS CARLYLE

REV. J. M. STEWART'S LECTURE

Last eight, in the Congregational Sunday School, the Rev. J. M. Stewart delivered a most interesting address on the life of Thomas Carlyle. Mr W. Thomson was in the chair. _ The speaker opened Ins address with a description of Carlyle's birthplace and parents. Carlyle's father was a man of great piety and extremely rigid views, some amusing anecdotes being related to illustrate the simple honesty of tho typical old Scot . Born at Ecclefuchan in tho parish of Hoddani, in December, 1795, Thomas Carlylo received his elementary education in the local school, and, at the ago of eight, entered the Grammar School at Annandale, a market town a few miles from Ecclefuchan. At tho ago of 14 years, he matriculated at the Edinburgh University. He was a studious youth and did not enter into the social life of the college, preferring to study in seclusion. Returning to Annandale, he secured tiio position of mathematical teacher in the Borough School where he remained for two years. In 1816 he was appointed Rector of the Kircaldy High School, a place noted as the birthplace of Sir George Adam Smith, of Aberdeen University. After two years of teaching ho left for Edinburgh where he studied continuously, convinced that literature was his i*Ue vocation. His first poem. "The Tragedy of a Night Moth," conveyed some impression of his feelings at this time, when he was uncertain and almost discouraged by his lack of success. He married in 1826 and moved to Chelsea, and commenced lecturing on literature. In 1837 appeared one of the greatest of all his works—" The French Revolution" —notable in the fust place on this account, that it was the first book which bore on its title pages the name of Thomas Carlyle, and worthy of special mark because of its being the first that immediately sent the name of Carlylo sounding through every nook and corner of Great Britain. Some assert that the book was first successful, but it is recorded that Sir William Hamilton became so interested in it that he read continuously from 3 p.m. on one day to 4 p.m. on the next, finishing the three volumes before ho could leave it. The manuscript of the second volume was accidentally destroyed and for some time Carlylo was in despair, but eventually re-wrote the work. The last picture of Carlyle is given from the pen of a Scottish school boy, one of the sons of the late Alexander Munro, the sculptor. He gives an account of his visit, telling how, owing to failing health, the old man was unable to leave his homo in London for his annual holiday in his native village. On February 3, 1881, his doctor found him in a drowsy stato and he lingered until February 5, when he breathed his last. Although Dean Stanley offered a grave in Westminster Abbey, he was buried with his kindred in that province of Scotland where he was born. At the conclusion of his address, the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks bv a highly appreciative audience. During" the evening, songs were rendered bv Miss E. Woodfiekl, A.T.C.L., LA.B., Miss M. Reaburn. and Messrs A. O. Polkinghome and Buglas. Accompanmients were played by Miss Rawlins, L.I.UL.. LA.B. .