Originally published in 1892. PREFACE: The "Diamond Necklace" has been selected for annotation in preference to the more commonly read essays for several reasons. It presents specimens of all of Carlyle's varied styles: essays, narrative, dramatic, and descriptive. It is, in miniature, a work of the same character as the "French Revolution," Carlyle's most artistic production, and has all the peculiarities, both faulty and beautiful, of that work. It is short and interesting, and experience with it in the class room has demonstrated the advantages of studying it.... Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
Thomas Carlyle was a Scottish satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher during the Victorian era. He called economics "the dismal science", wrote articles for the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, and became a controversial social commentator.
Coming from a strict Calvinist family, Carlyle was expected by his parents to become a preacher, but while at the University of Edinburgh, he lost his Christian faith. Calvinist values, however, remained with him throughout his life. This combination of a religious temperament with loss of faith in traditional Christianity made Carlyle's work appealing to many Victorians who were grappling with scientific and political changes that threatened the traditional social order.
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