He examined them thoroughly, and accepted Parker's proposal that he should write the history of the period.

But he had to leave Plas Gwynant.

The London Library, which Carlyle had founded, sufficed for contributions to magazines.

History was a more serious affair, and it was necessary for him to be, if not in London, at least near a railway.

He returned to his native county, and took a house at Babbicombe, from which, after three years, he moved to Bideford.