Considering its sub-title “An Experiment in Biographical Explication,” Mr R S Craig's “The Making of Carlyle” (Eveleigh Nash, 10s 6d net) demanded a preface. However, the main title is clear enough. Mr Craig has brought much research and intelligence to bear on the Scottish upbringing, early friendships, courtship, and marriage of Carlyle. In a word, this book is a study of Carlyle's environment in his formative years, and it is of fascinating interest. I quote this week some detached passages on Carlyle's first years of married life, in which Mr Craig's independent views are exhibited.
The honeymoon began with an instantaneous flight to their own house in Comely Bank, Edinburgh. They were married probably quite early in the morning, to admit of the long day journey by coach thither. Wedding-feast there was none, since no attempt was ever made by either party to “put a face” on things. Appearances deceived, and the Carlyles avoided whatever might deceive! In Scots law marriage is a contract. Carlyle believed the ceremony could represent nothing else, and it did represent nothing else. Yet his marriage was a true marriage from the highest as from the lowest point of view, as lofty, as spiritual, and eternal as ever human marriage was, in whatever form or by whatever ceremony celebrated...
From a passage in the “Reminiscences of Jane Welsh Carlyle,” it would appear that for some years after her marriage Mrs Carlyle persisted in signing herself by her maiden name. The passage in question may be found on page 128 of Froude's edition, and is as follows: “From her my Jeannie was called 'Jane Baillie Welsh' at the time of our marriage, but after a good few years, 'when she took to singing 'Jane Welsh Carlyle,' in which I never hindered her, she dropped the 'Baillie,' I suppose as too long.”
(To be continued)
(To be continued)
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