Past and Present

"Past and Present" is a book by Thomas Carlyle which combines medieval history with criticism of 19th century British society. Carlyle draws upon the chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond in order to contrast the monks' reverence for work and heroism with the sham leadership of his own day.

Carlyle presents his history as the narrative of the lives of men and their deeds, rather than as a dry chronicle of external details. To this end, he repeatedly contrasts his history with the style of the fictional historian Dryasdust.