TC TO EDWARD CHAPMAN; 17 February 1854; DOI: 10.1215/lt-18540217-TC-EC-01; CL 29: 32
TC TO EDWARD CHAPMAN
Chelsea, 17 feby, 1854—
My dear Sir,
If you have, yourself, any preference for either of the Titles, pray put which you please.
Burns I think the better Title in Scotland, where it is universally understood as indicating the unique man; but in this end of the Island there may perhaps be a shade of reason for the additional Robert;—tho' whether enough to rouse us into changing what already is?1
As to the “Samuel” of Johnson, there will be other Titles (indeed almost all the others, I think) where it will not be suitable to give the Christian name: “Voltaire,” “Goethe” &c.— On the whole, if you have not more preference for the “Robert” than I, you will be apt to let the thing stand as it is;—apt, or indeed certain at this stage of the business. However, I say again: Follow confidently your own feeling of the matter; with an eye on what is past, and on what is coming.
Yours very truly /
T. Carlyle
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