The Collected Letters of Thomas and Jane Welsh Carlyle

The letters in this volume cover the period October 1873 to November 1875. Notable topics addressed in the letters include: TC’s enthusiasm for J. A. Froude’s expeditions to South Africa in 1874 and 1875, an ill-advised and unsuccessful mission given to Froude by Lord Carnarvon with the secret aim of creating support for a South African federation1; the award of the Prussian Order of Merit in February 1874 for Frederick the Great and an honorary doctorate from Harvard University in November 1875 (received by TC with some reluctance and embarrassment); the offer of a knighthood in December 1874 (refused politely by TC with surprise and gratitude at the magnanimity of Benjamin Disraeli). The deaths, griefs, and serious illnesses of family (most notably TC’s niece Margaret Stewart), friends, and acquaintances—particularly the deaths of Betty Braid and Maggie Welsh and the decline of Rose Froude, J. A. Froude’s daughter—are also noted in correspondence.