But that tendency is checked and qualified by the strong conservative element which is everywhere prominent in Carlyle's thought.

Upon the absolute need of "clothes" the stress is again and again thrown.

They "have made men of us." By symbols alone man lives and works.

By symbols alone can he make life and work effective.

Thus even the world's "old clothes"-- its discarded forms and creeds--should be treated with the reverence due to whatever has once played a part in human development.