ringing out into
sharp homely clearness what is noblest in the remote and infinite,
exalting into wonder what is commonest in the dust and toil of every
day."

"Sartor" found but few admirers; those readers, however, were firm and
enthusiastic in their applause. In 1838 the "Sartor Resartus" papers,
already republished in the United States, were issued in a collected
form here; and in 1839-1840 his various scattered articles
in periodicals, after having similarly received the honour of
republication in America, were published here, first in four and
afterwards in five volumes, under the title of "Miscellanies."

It was in the spring of 1837 that Carlyle's first great historical
work appeared, "The French Revolution:--Vol. I., The Bastile; Vol. II,
The Constitution; Vol. III., The Guillotine." The publication of this
book produced a profound impression on the public mind. A history
abounding in vivid and graphic descriptions, it was at the same time
a gorgeous "prose epic." It is perhaps the most readable of all
Carlyle's works, and indeed is one of the most remarkable books of the
age. There is no other account of the French Revolution that can be
compared with it for intensity of feeling and profoundness of thought.

A great deal of information respecting Carlyle's manner of living and
personal history during these earlier years in London may be gleaned
incidentally from his "Life of John Sterling," a book, which, from the
nature of it, is necessarily partly autobiographical.

Thomas Moore and others met him sometimes in London society at this
time. Moore thus briefly chronicles a breakfast at Lord Houghton's, at
which Carlyle was present:--

"22nd May, 1838.--Breakfasted at Milnes', and met rather a remarkable
party, consisting of Savage, Landor, and Carlyle (neither of whom
I had ever seen before), Robinson, Rogers, and Rice. A good deal of
conversation between Robinson and Carlyle about German authors, of
whom I knew nothing, nor (from what they paraded of them) felt that I
had lost much by my ignorance."[A]

[Footnote A: Diary of Thomas Moore. (Lond. 1856.) Vol. vii., p. 224]

In 1835, after the publication of "Sartor Resartus," Carlyle received
an invitation from some American admirers of his writings, to visit
their country, and he contemplated doing so, but his labours in
examining and collecting materials for his great work on "The French
Revolution," then hastening towards completion, prevented him.