E X E R C I S E 1: Find words or phrases in the passage which mean the same as: COLUMN A COLUMN B a) begin a task with urgency (phrase) b) very large or great; of lasting value
c) a book, especially one in a set
d) be in the charge or care of someone; (phrase) e) a handwritten or typed version of a book before
it is printed
f) a woman who does cleaning in a hotel or
wealthy home
g) deeply shocked
h) wild and desperate because of fear or worry
i) great sorrow
J) say
k) rebuke; criticism
I) give comfort or sympathy to a person
m) extremely sad (phrase) n) write or say that something is true
o) deserving respect
p) deserving a special place in society; holy
q) bring something powerful into use
r) very grand
s) characteristic of a single person
2 3 0 ELS THOMAS CARLYLE
Through his friend John Stuart Mill, the English philosopher Thomas Cariyle
became interested in the French Revolution and set to work on a monumental
history. After five months of difficult work on this project, Cariyle completed the first
volume and left it with Mill for criticism. While in Mill's possession, the manuscript
was accidentally burned by a maid lighting a fire. Mill was appalled when he
discovered the loss and rushed to Carlyle's house nearly frantic with grief. Cariyle
did not utter a word of reproach but tried only to console his friend. After Mill had left,
he said to his wife, "Mill, poor fellow, is terribly cut up. We must endeavor to hide
from him how very serious this business is for us." The three volumes of The French Revolution were finally published in 1837. The book was immediately
successful. The days of struggle were over, and Cariyle took his place as a leading
English writer. His other books followed one another at intervals of two to five years.
Cariyle had a few "messages" that he continually repeated. He affirmed that work of
all kinds is dignified and sacred. He thought that men must renounce personal
happiness to obtain peace of mind. He believed that the world must be governed by
"heroes" - strong, just men, and consequently he felt that people should put their
faith in such men and not in democracy. In his own day, Cariyle exerted a strong
influence on other writers, but today few people read Cariyle for what he had to say.
The majority read his books for their majestic style and their revealing flashes of his
highly individual personality.