Section 139. A GREAT LOSS.

Mr. Thomas Carlyle had lent the Manuscript of the first volume of his “French Revolution” to a neighbour to peruse. By⁠[1] some mischance or other, it⁠[2] had been left lying on the parlour-floor, and⁠[3] become forgotten. Weeks ran on⁠[4], when at last the historian sent for⁠[5] his manuscript, the⁠[6] printers being loud for copy. Inquiries⁠[7] were made, and⁠[8] then it was found that the maid-of-all-work, finding⁠[9] what she conceived to be a bundle of waste paper on the floor, had⁠[10] used it to light the kitchen and parlour fires with⁠[11]. Such⁠[12] was the answer returned⁠[13] to Mr. Carlyle, and his consternation and despair may be imagined (S. 4, N. 4). There⁠[14] was, however, no help for him but to set himself resolutely to work to re-write his book; and⁠[15] he turned to and did it. He had no draft⁠[16], and⁠[17] was compelled to rake up from his memory facts, ideas, and expressions, which had long since been dismissed. The composition⁠[18] of the book in the first instance had been a work of real pleasure; the⁠[19] re-writing of it, a second time, was one of pain and anguish almost beyond belief. That⁠[20] he persevered and finished the volume under such circumstances affords⁠[21] an instance of determination of purpose which has seldom been exceeded.—S. Smiles, “Self-Help.”