266 FRESH FIELDS 



his times. He took the great facts of existence out 

 of the mouths of priests, out of their conventional 

 theological swathing, where they were fast becom- 

 ing mummified, and presented them quick or as 

 living and breathing* realities. 



It may be added that Carlyle was one of those 

 men whom the world can neither make nor break, 

 a meteoric rock from out the fiery heavens, 

 bound to hit hard if not self-consumed, and not 

 looking at all for a convenient or a soft place to 

 alight, a blazing star in his literary expression, 

 but in his character and purpose the most tangible 

 and unconquerable of men. "Thou, O World, 

 how wilt thou secure thyself against this man? 

 Thou canst not hire him by thy guineas, nor by 

 thy gibbets and law penalties restrain him. He 

 eludes thee like a Spirit. Thou canst not forward 

 him, thou canst not hinder him. Thy penalties, 

 thy poverties, neglects, contumelies: behold, all 

 these are good for him." 



