Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 11.djvu/488

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [9* s. XL JUNE 13, im


duction of a crayon portrait of Milton by Faithorne. It is lifelike, but the face looks stern. Very different is the reproduced portrait of Milton from the 1645 'Poems,' with Milton's bantering Greek lines to the artist. A splendid portrait of the Earl of Clarendon, after Gerard Soest, follows, and is in turn succeeded by a likeness of John Dryden by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Of almost all the Carolinian poets likenesses are given, though we are sorry, when a man such as Flatman is introduced, to miss the superb likeness of George Wither in the ' Emblemes.' Sadler's portrait of Bunyan is delight- ful. A miniature of Congreve, from Windsor Castle, is reproduced, as are many satisfactory likenesses of Pope. Swift is from a design by Jervas, Addison from Michael Dahl, Thomson by Patour, Richard- son by Highmore, Sheridan by Gainsborough, Fielding by Hogarth, Goldsmith and Sterne by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Johnson by Opie. Not the faintest idea is conveyed by our comments of the wealth of illustration contained in these volumes, which all who desire an ilium inatpry record of that literature which is our most price- less possession must purchase. In the richness of illustration lies the differentiating feature between this volume and preceding works of its class. By this, too, it is rendered an indispensable supplement to the 'Dictionary of National Bio- graphy' and other recently published works, which form a necessary part of the equipment of the scholar. In appearance the volumes are all that can be desired.

My Relations ivith Carlyle. By James Anthony

Froude. (Longmans & Co.)

THIS account of Mr. Fronde's relations with Carlyle was found, after his death, in a dispatch- box, together with Carlyle's will, given at the end. Mr. Froude states: "I have discharged the duty which was laid on me as faithfully as I could. I have nothing more to reveal, and, as far as I know, I have related exactly everything which bears on my relations with Carlyle and his history. This is all that I can do, and I have written this that those who care for me may have something to rely upon if my honour and good faith are assailed after I am gone." The book contains a brief account of Froude's early life and of his introduction to Carlyle. Shortly after Froude left the university, Carlyle was very good to him, and helped him when he could, while he found Mrs. Carlyle to be "the most brilliant and interesting woman that I had ever fallen in with.

Such sparkling scorn and tenderness combined

I had never met with together in any human being." " She was sarcastic when she spoke of her husband a curious blending of pity, contempt, and other feelings." She suffered much from dyspepsia and want of sleep, receiving but scant sympathy from Carlyle, who expected her to bear her trouble in patience, while he, who had a vigorous constitu- tion, without a day of serious illness, " was never more eloquent than in speaking of his own crosses." She was seldom alone with him, although she presided at the small evening gatherings, when Carlyle, who "would not allow himself to be contradicted, would pour out whole Niagaras of scorn and vituperation, some- times for hours together." We do not propose to express an opinion as to Mr. Froude's defence. The pamphlet (for it is little more, only eighty pages) can be purchased for two shillings ; but that Car- lyle left him absolute discretion is abundantly


proved both in the will and by the words of Carlyle when he handed over the manuscripts to him : "Take these for my sake ; they are yours to publish or not publish, as you please, after I am gone. Do what you will. Read them and let me know whether you will take them on these terms." "I did read them," writes Mr. Froude, " and then for the first time I realized what a tragedy the life in Cheyne Row had been a tragedy as stern and real as the story of OEdipus."

Retribution came, and the last years of Car- lyle's life were one agony of remorse ; grief was never absent from his mind, and his conversation always drifted back into a pathetic cry of sorrow over things which were now irreparable. It was at once piteous and noble ; " a repentance so deep and so passionate showed that the real nature was as beautiful as his intellect had been magnificent."

Barnaby Rudye ; A Child' 's History of England ; Christmas Books. By Charles Dickens. (Chap- man & Hall and Frowde. )

To the pleasing "Fireside Dickens" have been added three further volumes, containing the works named above. ' Uarnaby Rudge' has seventy-six illustrations by Cattermole and Phiz ; ' A Child's History ' four, by various artists ; and the ' Christ- mas Books' sixty-five, by Landseer, Maclise, Leech, Tenniel, Stanfield, &c. Though not the most characteristic, the designs to the last-named work are the most attractive. Cheap as is this issue, the volumes, as we can testify, are pleasant to read and to hold.


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N. C. D. ("Migrations from the blue bed," &c.). They did not travel from country to country, or even from town to town, but their only change was at home, from one bed to another. Cf. the 'Voyage autour de ma Chambre ' of Xavier de Maistre for a similar phrase.

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