[f. the name of Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) + -ISM.] a. The characteristic literary manner or teachings of Carlyle. b. A mannerism of Carlyle (chiefly in language or style).
1841. Fraser’s Mag., XXV. 722. It is Carlyleism in manner, but not in matter.
1881. Athenæum, 9 April, 488/3. Fighting the good fight of liberty against tyranny, Christian kindness against Carlylism.
1881. Nation (N. Y.), XXXII. 231–2. The emptiness, or, to use a Carlylism, the ‘putrescent cant’ of most of the talk.
So also Carlylean, -eian, -ian a., of, pertaining to, or like Carlyle; sb., an admirer or imitator of Carlyle. Carlylese, the literary style or dialect of Carlyle. Carlylesque a., Carlyliana, Carlylite, etc.
1878. Morley, Carlyle, 188. Two conspicuous qualities of Carlylean doctrine.
1884. Illust. Lond. News, 3 Sept., 243/2. Thence the Carlyleian gigmanity.
1878. T. Sinclair, Mount, 104. Carlylians are good guides if there are no better.
1858. Sat. Rev., V. 414/1. The Quarterly will … talk Kingsleyism, and the Edinburgh Carlylese.
1886. F. Harrison, Choice Bks., 181. The finest Carlylese is never equal to the finest English.
1866. Cornh. Mag., Oct., 414. His [A. H. Clough’s] letters at that time took a curiously Carlylesque tone.
1865. Sat. Rev., 11 Nov., 607. The Carlylites retort that Mr. Disraeli is ‘a Jew.’
