THOMAS CARLYLE ON THE WAR.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 939, 28 June 1877, Page 3

THOMAS CARLYLE ON THE WAR.

The following letter from Thomas Carlyle appears in the London Thors: — “ Sir—-A rumour everywhere prevails that our miraculous Premier, in spite of his Queen’s proclamation of neutrality, intends, under cover of ‘ care for British interests,’ to send the English (loot to the Baltic, or do some other feat which shall compel Russia to declare war against England. Latterly the rumour has shifted from the Baltic and become still more sinister on the eastern side of the scene, where a feat is contemplated that will force not Russia only but all Europe to declare war against us. Tin's latter I have come to know as an indisputable fact —in our present affairs and outlooks surely a grave one. As to British interests, there is none visible or conceivable to me except taking charge of our route to India by Suez and Egypt, and for the rest resolutely steering altogether clear of any copartnery with the Turk in regard to this or any other British interest whatever. It should be felt by England as a real ignominy to be connected with such a Turk at all. Hay, if wc still had, as in fact all ought to have, a wish to save him from perdition and annihilation in God’s world, the one future for him that has any hope in it is even now that of being conquered by the Russians, and gradually schooled and drilled into a peaceable attempt at learning to bo himself governed. The newspaper outcry against Russia is no more respectable to me than (he howling of Bedlam, proceeding, as it does, from the deepest ignorance, egotism, and paltry national jealousy. These things 1 write not on hearsay, but on acute knowledge, and to all friends of their country will recommend immediate attention to them, while there is yet time, lest in a few weeks (he maddest and most cruel thing that a British Government could do should be done, and all Europe kindle into the flames of war.”