of death. She was buried at Haddington, in her father's grave. A pathetic epitaph by her husband was placed in the church (Memorials, iii. 341).
Henceforward Carlyle's life was secluded, and work became impossible. His brother John tried staying with him for a time, but the plan was given up. He stayed for a time with Miss Davenport Bromley, one of his wife's best friends, at Ripple Court, Walmer. He was moved to indignation by the prosecution of Governor Eyre, which he considered as punishing a man for throwing an extra bucket of water into a ship on fire. He joined the Eyre Defence Committee. In the winter he visited Lady Ashburton at Mentone, travelling again under the affectionate guardianship of Professor Tyndall, and returning to Cheyne Row in March. During this melancholy period he wrote most of the ‘Reminiscences.’ On returning he arranged a bequest of Craigenputtock, now his absolute property, to found bursaries at Edinburgh. He revised his collected works, which were now gaining a wide circulation. He put together and annotated Mrs. Carlyle's letters. In 1868 he had to give up riding; and about 1872 his right hand, which had long shaken, became unable to write. Seven years before his death all writing became impossible. An article on ‘Shooting Niagara’ in ‘Macmillan's Magazine’ 1867 showed his view of contemporary politics. On 18 Nov. 1870 he wrote a ‘Defence of the German Case in the War with France,’ which was warmly acknowledged (by some unknown authority) through Count Bernstorff, the ambassador, and separately printed. On 5 May 1877 he wrote a remarkable letter, stating in a few words his positive knowledge that a plan had been formed by Lord Beaconsfield's government which would produce a war with Russia. What his authority may have been remains unknown, nor can it be said how far the statement had any important influence in averting the danger.
Carlyle during these years had become the acknowledged head of English literature. He had a large number of applications of all kinds. He was generous even to excess in money matters. In February 1874 he received the Prussian Order of Merit, for his services as the historian of Frederick. In December 1874 Disraeli offered him, in very delicate and flattering terms, the grand cross of the Bath and a pension. Carlyle declined both offers in a dignified letter, though touched by the magnanimity of the ‘only man,’ as he said, of whom he had ‘never spoken except with contempt.’ On his eightieth birthday he received a congratulatory letter from Prince Bismarck, and a medal, with an address from many admirers led by Professor Masson. The gloom, however, deepened, and he would sometimes express a wish that the old fashion of suicide were still permissible. He specially felt the death of Erskine of Linlathen (30 March 1870). His brother Alexander died in Canada in 1876, asking in his last wanderings whether ‘Tom’ was coming home from Edinburgh. John died in December 1879. Carlyle still took pleasure in the writings and companionship of a few congenial friends, especially Mr. Ruskin, Mr. Froude, and Mr. Justice Stephen. The last two were his executors. His talk was still often brilliant, whether a declamation of the old fashion or a pouring forth of personal reminiscences. However harsh his judgments, he never condescended to retailing injurious anecdotes. He walked daily as long as he was able, and afterwards took drives in flies and omnibuses. His figure, much bent with age, was familiar to many London wayfarers. He gradually sank, and died on 4 Feb. 1881. A burial at Westminster Abbey was offered, but refused in accordance with his own wish, as he disapproved of certain passages in the Anglican service. He was buried, as he desired, in the old kirkyard at Ecclefechan, by his parents.
Many portraits and photographs of Carlyle exist. He always endeavoured to procure portraits of any one about whom he was writing, and seems to have been desirous to obtain good portraits of himself. According to Mr. Froude no portrait was really successful. He mentions one taken in 1836 (Froude, iii. 82) by Mr. Lewis. Mr. Froude says that Mr. Woolner's ‘Medallion’ is the best likeness of him ‘in the days of his strength’ (ib. 459). His portrait was also painted by Mr. Watts in 1869, by Mr. (now Sir J. E.) Millais in 1877, and by Mr. Whistler. A statue by Boehm, belonging to Lord Rosebery, a replica of which has been erected on the Chelsea Embankment near his old house, is a very striking likeness.
Every page of Carlyle's writings reveals a character of astonishing force and originality. The antagonism roused by his vehement iconoclasm was quenched by respect during his last years, only to break out afresh upon the appearance of the ‘Reminiscences.’ His style, whether learnt at home or partly acquired under the influence of Irving and Richter (see Froude, i. 396), faithfully reflects his idiosyncrasy. Though his language is always clear, and often pure and exquisite English, its habitual eccentricities offended critics, and make it the most dangerous of models. They are pardonable as the only
