The
revelation of Reason is this of the unchangeableness of the fact of
humanity under all its subjective aspects, that to the cowering it
always cowers, to the daring it opens great avenues. The ancients
are only venerable to us, because distance has destroyed what was
trivial; as the sun and stars affect us only grandly, because we
cannot reach to their smoke and surfaces, and say, Is that all?
And yet the gravity of the times, the manifold and increasing
dangers of the English state, may easily excuse some over-coloring of
the picture, and we at this distance are not so far removed from any
of the specific evils, and are deeply participant in too many, not to
share the gloom, and thank the love and the courage of the
counsellor. This book is full of humanity, and nothing is more
excellent in this, as in all Mr. Carlyle's works, than the attitude
of the writer. He has the dignity of a man of letters who knows what
belongs to him, and never deviates from his sphere; a continuer of
the great line of scholars, and sustains their office in the highest
credit and honor.
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