by Michael Oakeshott read by V. C. Clinton-Baddeley
A hundred years ago Thomas Carlyle finished writing the first volume of his 'History of the French Revolution' after a year's toil. He lent the MS. to John Stuart Mill, who in March, 1835, lent it to a Mrs. Taylor. While in her possession it was accidentally burnt by a servant girl. There was nothing left of it and Carlyle had to write it by hand all over again. He had completed it by the end of the year.
