Past and Present
Thomas Carlyle's Collected Works, Vol. XIII.
Past and Present, published in 1843, is Thomas Carlyle's answer to what he called the condition of England. A nation full of wealth, he begins, is dying of starvation, with paupers locked in workhouses while the fruits of labor go untouched. To find a better model of rule he goes back seven centuries, to the chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond, and tells the story of Abbot Samson, who restored order and justice to the abbey of Bury St Edmunds. Against this he sets the modern world of cash payment, idle aristocrats and Mammon worship, and calls for captains of industry who will lead rather than exploit. Carlyle's prose is fierce, prophetic and often funny. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Past and Present
Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Past and Present online?
Yes. Past and Present opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Past and Present free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Past and Present is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Past and Present in the public domain?
Yes. Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Past and Present?
About 7 h 12 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Past and Present?
Past and Present by Thomas Carlyle is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
