Carlyle's Laugh and Other Surprises is a collection of essays and lectures written by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. The book is named after the first essay, which explores the enigmatic and often misunderstood laughter of the Scottish philosopher and writer, Thomas Carlyle. The collection also includes essays on a variety of topics, including literature, history, and politics. Higginson draws on his experiences as a soldier in the Civil War and his...