THOMAS CARLYLE AND PETER OF THE NORTH
[_]
The English author, Thomas Carlyle, must have his say upon the civil war in this country. It is very brief, and appears in the August number of Macmillan's Magazine. Here it is:—
“ILIA AMERICANA IN NUCE”
Peter of the North
(to Paul of the South).
—“Paul,
you unaccountable scoundrel, I find you hire your servants
for life, not by the month or year, as I do! You are going
straight to hell, you—!”
Paul.
—“Good words, Peter! The risk is my own; I
am willing to take the risk. Hire your servants by the
month or day, and get straight to Heaven, leave me to my
own method.”
Peter.
—“No, I won't. I will beat your brains out first!
(And is trying dreadfully ever since, but cannot yet manage
it.”)
T. C.
May, 1863.
