8 April 1872 – 14 April 1872

to Carlyle at 3 — with him to London Library : Ruskin's books, W. H. Brookfield, Thackeray, etc. etc. ; the idle classes ; few pro- ductive people. I had recommended Petrie's Round Towers as an authentic memorandum on ancient Ireland, but C. found it ' intolerably stupid.' He cares to hear nothing about Ireland save what feeds his prejudices. His is the least judicial of minds.