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, 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." 



