"Elections" are not a thing
transacted by the gods, in general; and I have known very
unbeautiful creatures "elected" to be kings, chief-priests,
railway kings, etc., by the "most sweet voices," and the
spiritual virtue that inspires these, in our time!
Leaving all that, I will beg you all to retain your
honourable good feelings towards me; and to think that if
anything I have done or written can help any one of you in
the noble problem of living like a wise man in these evil
and foolish times, it will be more valuable to me than never
so many Elections or Non-elections. With many good wishes
and regards I heartily thank you all, and remain--Yours very
sincerely,
T. CARLYLE.
[Footnote: For the elucidation of some points of contact between Carlyle
and Lord Beaconsfield, _vide_ Mr. Froude's _Life_ of the latter.]
Carlyle's letters to strangers are always valuable, for they are terse
and reticent. In writing to weavers, like Bamford; to men in trouble, as
Cooper; to students, statesmen, or earnest inquirers of whatever degree,
a genuine sympathy for them takes the place of the sympathy for himself,
often too prominent in the copious effusions to his intimates. The letter
above quoted is of special interest, as belonging to a time from which
comparatively few survive; when he was fairly under weigh with a task
which seemed to grow in magnitude under his gaze.
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