The fifteenth Earl of Derby held such a high position in the political world that his literary attainments have been comparatively neglected.

He was in truth an omnivorous reader and a cool, sagacious critic, who was not led astray by enthusiasm, and never said more than he felt.

Writing to Froude on the 20th of October, 1884, Lord Derby described the Life of Carlyle as the most interesting biography in the English language, and added, "I think you have finally silenced the foolish talk about indiscretion, and treachery to a friend's memory.

It is clear that you have done only, and exactly, what Carlyle wished done: and to me it is also apparent that he and you were right: that his character could not have been understood without a full disclosure of what was least attractive in it: and that those defects--the product mainly of morbid physical conditions--do not really take away from his greatness, while they explain much that was dark, at least to me, in his writings." Lord Derby's opinions were not lightly formed, and he was as much guided by pure reason as mortal man can be.
Froude's own judgment is given in a letter to Lady Derby, which contains also much interesting speculation on South African politics.

Lord Derby, it will be remembered, was at that time Secretary of State for the Colonies.
"October 14th, 1884 .-- Carlyle in London comes out this week.