The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1857-11-20
1listftlanrou s.
HUGH MILLER, OF CROMARTY.

The recent sad death of this distinguished
ScotchHan, another victim to an overweight
brain, recalls TO my memory the living man, as
/ saw him one bright summer morning, more
than year ago, in Ednburg. He was standing
IN front OF Scott'S monument, lost in contem-
plation over the genius OF one who fell, as the
poor man was also soon to fall, martyr TO
intellectual toll. No sooner was h. pointed out
10 me- as Hugh MiIrr than my eyes were riv-
eted upon him, as my mind had been some
montas before npon that most remarkable book
of his, sThe Festiges Crealiun He stood
there before ne, a massive, rougb-bewn, and
broadchfSted man, who looked as il rrailv, TO
use his own words, & be- could ii breast high
the lifting stone OF thr Dropping Cave OF Crom-
aHy." There he fingered in front OF that
beautiful monument. The hurrying crowd
went by. and all the stirring toll OF a busy street
was around him, bat be herdpd not, for his own
great mind was communng with the spirit of
fhe past, recalling lhetoils and triumphs of that
mighty master OF romance who bad woven a
spell around every lake and mountain of his
native land, and 10 whose memory a grateful
people bad erected this beautiful monument.
could not help bring struck, as ! gazed
npon him standing in that sacred spot, with
head uncovered in reverrntial silence at the
maSsivenesS Of his brain. 1t was head requi-
ring a hat which would most Certainly distIn-
guish nne-irnths of The men Of my acquain-
dance. His countenancp was cast in the mould
OF Scotch ugiinrss; but its hard lines and stern
features We're redeemed by the soft light of as
gentle blue eve as | ever saw in woman.
Coming from the east coast Of Scotland, from
at hall nb.h
the shores OF the German OCEAN from Fife 10
CalihnesS, with the blood of several venture
some sailors and drowned men in his veins,
his physical appearance had somewhat in it, |
must confess, OF the Tudeness and roughneSs OF
his origin. No one, however, could that
broad massive brow, overhangIng those mild,
tender eyes. without feeling that be- was gazing
upon no ordinary man. [ lorged 10 speak
with him, II nnl Y 90 exchange thr saluiatinas
OF the morning with one WHOSE literary laborS
50 much admired, and whose faculty of co-
thing the absiyuSa things of Science with
charm unknown before was so wonderful.
Bat did not presume to inrtIde upon the
solemnity Of his thoughts, standing there in the
majesty of his manhood, before. the Consecraied
shrine of Scotland Soon he mingled in the
throng Of that busy street. and | saw him no
more.
Several months ago the steamer brought the
news OF his death-aad such DEATH
Who could read with dry eyes that sad note,
''to the falr-haired assie Of Cromarty" he had
made hls wife, and for whose sake, at the ma
ture age of thirty, he had left the humble
pursuit OF stone mason, TO hew for himself, in
Toe modern Athens, monument more durable
'han rock! In that sad note, written when
me mental chords were all jangIing and out
ot'une, how the agonized soul groans forth its
anguish.
"DeaFest Lydia My brain burns-I must
nave walked, and a fearful dream arises upon
me: cannot bear the horrible thought. God
and Father Of my Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy
upon me''