Last words of Thomas Carlyle - Warburg Institute

;WOTTON EEINFEED 147many painful circumstances, and often with unusualwarmth declared that he would be a friend andbrother to me always, befal what might. I had neverhad a brother, but I felt towards this man somethinglike what a sister may feel. Undistinguished by anygreat quality, nay, with many faults and a certaincoarseness of nature, he was good and kmd to me,and in his company I felt so glad and safe, soaffectionate yet so calm ! These five weeks flewaway too quickly ; my new brother left us and Iagain remained alone, my aunt by some unaccountableperversity refusing even to let me correspondwith him.*Her days were indeed become days of darknessshe was wasting in unexplained sorrows; her soulwrapt up in mystery and often also in the terrors andmortilcations of superstition ; she felt no hope in life,no sympathy with the living. With the social circleof our neighbourhood she was displeased, herselflikewise displeasing, and had almost ceased to correspond; except when she heard of this stranger, herface was seldom brightened with any smile. What Isuffered from her why should I describe to you?But I foresaw that some change of place would soonfollow, and with it perhaps some alleviation. MeanwhileI kept retired within my old fortress, where,quiet and diligent, I felt as if for the sake of knowledgeI eould suffer all this and much more.