Dear Mr Macmillan, I like the name of the Book of Worthies. I think I might begin with mentioning the old Nine Worthies, and then say that here we set forth whatever multiple of nine it may be possible to produce.

I believe that 'nine-worthiness' is a word, which perhaps may sanction it! though I am afraid it is only one of the Carlyle’s words.

Worthy is a vague word, which is convenient. How would 'Good men and ... continue reading

My dear Christabel

Things change a good deal.- Before John went to America, he altered his will so as to make her tolerably dependent on Bernard, hoping thus to put a stop to it all and thinking it would keep the man on his good behaviour. Since that he offered £300 for her life if before June, Mr Adams found employment so as to secure a reasonable even if small income, £400 if she ... continue reading

I have been reading an article in the National Review, showing how utterly Carlyle misquoted Cromwell’s speeches, and absolutely neglected shoals of contemporary papers which would have spoilt his conceptions of his idol. It is curious, but really, poor old Carlyle must have been a good deal of a humbug for all his bluster.