CARLYLE LOVE LETTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15496, 1 January 1914, Page 7

CARLYLE LOVE LETTERS.

INTERESTING PUBLICATION

By Telegraph—Pteßß Association Copyright. London, December 30. Eight love letters from Jane Baillie Welsh to Thomas Carlyle, the existence of which was not known when the others were published in 1909, have been made public by the Nineteenth Century and After.

STORY OP THE COURTSHIP. Miss Welsh, who was married to Carlyle in 1826, was the only child. of Br. Welsh, of Haddington. She was a girl of prer cocious talent, • and her wit and beauty attracted many admirers; Carlyle was introduced to her in 1822, and attracted bv the brilliant abilities of the young lady, procured books for her and wrote letters to her as an intellectual guide. A good deal of controversy has long covered the precise character of their relations. In 1909, Mr. Alexander Carlyle published his edition of the love-letters. For long. Miss "Welsh refused to marry Carlyle; and it was not until 1824 that she relented so far as to say that she would marry if he could achieve independence.' The marriage, which was" precipitated by the well-meant interference, of a friend, took place on i October 17, 1826,, \__ W , -