Mrs. Thomas Carlyle

The brightest time for Mrs. Carlyle'8 talk was during dinuer. Day after day Bhe ponred forth witty stories, most of which I have almost forgotten, but in any case it wonld be desecration to attempt to repeat almost any of them. The characteristics of living men and women were often dashed off in a few pithy words, not without satirical touches. George Henry Lewes was not one of her favorites, but I noted with pleasure the way in which she spoke of the wonderful transformation effected by the influence on him of George Eliot. One of her experiences was when visiting a shoemaker'sshop tomake a purchase, at the time when sandaled shoes were worn, like those represented in the original illustrations of Dickens. Thesandals were of black ribbon, uncnt until the shoes were worn by the purchaser at home. Mrs. Carlyle tried on . many shoes, and each time that a sboe proved unsuitable she unconsoiously slnng it on to her left arm. Being at last suited, and having paid her bill, she left the shop, and had walked a little way when she beard a shout behind her. Looking back she saw the shopman running after her, mnch excited and insisting on her returning the stolen shoes. Looking down, she saw to her surprise a nnmber of shoes dangling frota her arm. The man indignantly asked her name and addre.ss. Her astonishment was such that her name was obliterated for a time from her memory and all she conld recollect was her maiden name, "Miss Welsh. " The humor in this tale was enhanoed to those who knew her from its being so much out of keepiug with her usual shrewdijess and self possession that no one could have predicted it of her. Her death scène, a year later, wben "Mr. Silvester, " as she narued her coachman, during a drive, turned and looked into the carriage - surprised at receiving no orders as to route - and saw her sitting, lifeless, with a pet dog on her knee, has often risen to my thoughts. My strongest impression was of the deep mutual love evidently subsistiug between Mrs. Carlyle and her husbaud. Every subject we discussed seemed to recall thougnts of him. If the piano were opened, hissongof the "blue day" was referred to or asked for; if any literary man were mentioned, his opinión of him was given, or a story was told showing his relation to otber men of note. I feit as if listeningto the love talk of a youthful engaged couple, and when, in later days, Froude opened up a floodgate of misunderstanding I feit assured there was a radical misconception of the true state of affairs. - New York Independent.