Sales catalogue 641: Maggs Bros

Date:: 1937

Reference:: WA/HMM/CM/Sal/13/171

Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sales catalogue 641: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.

17/88 page 15

39 CARLYLE (THOMAS, 1795-1881). Essayist and Historian. AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT OF CARLYLE’S NOTES FOR HIS LIFE OF ~ FREDERICK THE GREAT.” % pages, 4to. 7th October, 1854. Bound in limp roan. Sek An exceedingly interesting manuscript recounting various visits to the State Paper Office, and giving short extracts and criticisms of the works consulted there, during his researches for material for his ‘‘ Life of Frederick the Great.”’ The dispatches and letters from which these notes were taken, were written from the Court of Frederick William I, father of Frederick the Great, and relate all the movements of the royal family, and other Court News. They speak of the harsh and drastic treatment endured by the young prince “ Fritz’’ by the eccen- tricities of his father. They also speak of Princess Wilhelmina’s expectations of becoming Princess of Wales, and mention Queen Sophia, Queen Caroline (of England), Prince Kugene, the Duke of York, Earl de Grey. Etc. “Ie I LIVE LONG, YOU MAY HEAR OF ME FARTHER—FOR BETTER OR WORSE.” 40 CARLYLE (THOMAS, 1795-1881). Essayist and Historian. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TO MRS. AUSTIN. 8 pp., 8vo. Craigenputtock, 21st January, 1834. &15 15s A very interesting letter describing the solitude at Craigenputtock, his unsuccessiul efforts to write, and his proposal to move to London. ‘“*. .. You speak playfully of coming hither to see us. Would it were in earnest! I think there were few faces welcomer here to all parties interested. If the sun were north again, and the days bright. what if you should actually put it in practice! I[ do not think you ever in your life saw such a solitude as this, the everlasting skies and the everlasting moors ; the hum of the world all mute as Death, so distant is it,—till Wednesday night arrives, and the Letters and Newspapers ; and we find it is all going on as distractedly as ever. Come and see it and try it. ‘“ As for myself, I think I have arrived at a kind of pause in my History, so singular is the course of things without me and within me. I have written very little for a year; less than for any of the last seven. I stand as if earnestly look- ing out, in the most labyrinthic country, till I catch the right track again. A kind of Hnfant Perdu, I believe, at any rate; yet who would so fain not perish and leave the breach unwon... . | ‘“And so if I live long, you may hear of me farther, for better or worse. I have a kind of thought that I shall come and see London again; but when? Perhaps the sooner the better. In the meantime I read, in the most omnivorous way; am a stranger to that wretchedest state, emptiness of head. I still believe too that it is only want of Faith; our own wretched vanity, voracity, and general meanness of mind. One whose visage was more marred than that of any man; to whom our worst state were a throne and couch of down,—-did not he say ‘I have overcome the world’? Shame on us! But I will preach no more to-night.’’ Etc. 41 CARLYLE (THOMAS). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TO JOHN STUART MILL. 14 pp., 8vo. Ampton Street, N.D. £4 4s Asking Mill to visit him. “Are you disengaged on Sunday? Come hither, and let us, in profitable speech, worship together. Will you have breakfast—as early as you like? Or would you rather transact that matter at home? Let us meet, and walk, some- whither. ‘In any case tell me how you will meet me, how you may be met. The India House, alas, is antipodal to all my present courses. I have been twice within gun- shot of your place at Kensington, but could not hope you were there then. Mean- while I have been evenings and even half-days quite alone here ; when your company would have been far more precious than anything IT have to think of at present. ‘“* What is cheerfuller than Light? Speech!’’ Etc.

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