eemed to me desperate at first.

"With many thanks, and gratified to have made this reflex
acquaintance, which, if it should ever chance to become a direct one,
might gratify me still more,

"I remain always yours sincerely,

"T. CARLYLE."[A]

[Footnote A: "Life of General Sir William Napier, K.C.B." Edited by
H.A. Bruce, M.P. London: Murray, 1864. Vol. ii. pp. 312-314.]

In June, 1861, a few days after the great fire in which Inspector
Braidwood perished in the discharge of his duty, Carlyle broke a long
silence with the following letter:--

"TO THE EDITOR OF THE 'TIMES.'

"SIR,--

"There is a great deal of public sympathy, and of deeper sort than
usual, awake at present on the subject of Inspector Braidwood. It is
a beautiful emotion, and apparently a perfectly just one, and well
bestowed. Judging by whatever light one gets, Braidwood seems to have
been a man of singular worth in his department, and otherwise; such a
servant as the public seldom has. Thoroughly skilled in his function,
nobly valiant in it, and faithful to it--faithful to the death.
In rude, modest form, actually a kind of hero, who has perished in
serving us!

"Probably his sorrowing family is not left in wealthy circumstances.
Most certainly it is pity when a generous emotion, in many men, or in
any man, has to die out futile, and leave no _action_ behind it. The
question, therefore, suggests itself--Should not there be a 'Braidwood
Testimonial,' the proper parties undertaking it, in a modest, serious
manner, the public silently testifying (to such extent, at least) what
worth its emotion has?

"I venture to throw out this hint, and, if it be acted on, will, with
great satisfaction, give my mite among other people; but must, for
good reasons, say further, that this [is] all I can do in the matter
(of which, indeed, I know nothing but what everybody knows, and a
great deal less than every reader of the newspapers knows); and that,
in particular, I cannot answer any letters on the subject, should such
happen to be sent me.

"In haste, I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,

"T. CARLYLE.[A]

"5, Cheyne-row, Chelsea, June 30."

[Footnote A: (Printed in _The Times_, Tuesday, July 2, 1861.)]

The "History of Frederick the Great" was completed early in 1865.
Later in the same year the students of Edinburgh University elected
Carlyle as Lord Rector. We cannot do better than describe the
proceedings and the subsequent address in