CHAPTER IX. HIS MARRIAGE-JANE WELSH OF HADDINGTON—ANECDOTE OF HER CHILDHOOD EDWARD IRVING HER ANCESTORS WELSH OF AYR AND JOHN KNOX'S DAUGHTER -HER LETTER TO SIR GEORGE SINCLAIR-CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN'S PICTURE OF MRS CARLYLE-HER HUSBAND ON THE QUEEN OF THE WORLD. It was in 1826 that Carlyle took the most momentous, as it also proved the most fortunate, step of his life. It would be difficult to name another equally eminent man of letters, in any land, who was so perfectly happy in his marriage. To his wife, in perhaps the most touching inscription that has been placed by a husband over the tomb of his departed helpmate, he ascribed all his success; and there is every reason to believe that this was no more than the simple truth. Jane Welsh was, in every respect, a woman worthy to be the wife of Thomas Carlyle. Richly gifted in all those qualities of heart that form the first essential, she was not less distinguished for vigour of intellect, and for a richly varied culture and a refinement of nature that caused her to be regarded, by those in the best position for judging, as one of the most remarkable women of her day. Born at Haddington in 1801, she was the only |