inted as it
stood. (_Author's Note of 1868._)

TESTIMONIES OF AUTHORS

I. HIGHEST CLASS, BOOKSELLER'S TASTER

_Taster to Bookseller._--"The Author of _Teufelsdroeckh_ is a person of
talent; his work displays here and there some felicity of thought and
expression, considerable fancy and knowledge: but whether or not it
would take with the public seems doubtful. For a _jeu d'esprit_ of
that kind it is too long; it would have suited better as an essay or
article than as a volume. The Author has no great tact; his wit is
frequently heavy; and reminds one of the German Baron who took to
leaping on tables, and answered that he was learning to be lively.
_Is_ the work a translation?"

_Bookseller to Editor._--"Allow me to say that such a writer requires
only a little more tact to produce a popular as well as an able work.
Directly on receiving your permission, I sent your _MS._ to a
gentleman in the highest class of men of letters, and an accomplished
German scholar: I now inclose you his opinion, which, you may rely
upon it, is a just one; and I have too high an opinion of your good
sense to" &c. &c.--_MS._ (_penes nos_), _London, 17th September 1831_.

II. CRITIC OF THE SUN

"_Fraser's Magazine_ exhibits the usual brilliancy, and also the" &c.
"_Sartor Resartus_ is what old Dennis used to call 'a heap of clotted
nonsense,' mixed however, here and there, with passages marked by
thought and striking poetic vigour. But what does the writer mean by
'Baphometic fire-baptism'? Why cannot he lay aside his pedantry, and
write so as to make himself generally intelligible? We quote by way of
curiosity a sentence from the _Sartor Resartus_; which may be read
either backwards or forwards, for it is equally intelligible either
way. Indeed, by beginning at the tail, and so working up to the head,
we think the reader will stand the fairest chance of getting at its
meaning: 'The fire-baptised soul, long so scathed and thunder-riven,
here feels its own freedom; which feeling is its Baphometic baptism:
the citadel of its whole kingdom it has thus gained by assault, and
will keep inexpugnable; outwards from which the remaining dominions,
not indeed without hard battering, will doubtless by degrees be
conquered and pacificated.' Here is a"--....--_Sun Newspaper_, _1st
April 1834_.

III. NORTH-AMERICAN REVIEWER

... "After a careful survey of the whole ground, our belief is that no
such persons as Professor Teufelsdroeckh