Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-01-17

DEATH OF HuGH MILLER, TIRE GzoLooIsT.-
BY The steamer Asia, at New York, from Liv'
erpool we have the mournfnl intelligence Of
the death of Hugh Miller, the celebrated Scotch
geolopist, who was found ia his honse shot
dead. II is supposed ihat,tho sad event was
accidental. Mr.. Miller has achieved a world
wide reputation as geoloest. aud as man
of great powers of research and scholarship.
! His death will be universally dcplored as a
great loss TO the world of science.
Mr.. Miller was born in the year 1905, at
Cromary, in Scotland, where he lahored about
! fifteen years as n common quarryman, storing
his mind meanwhile by dilgent reading and
close observation Of the geology Of the strata
in which he delved lie subsequently received
the appointment of accountant in the bank in
his native village, which post he filled for five
years. In 1880, letter addressed TO Lord
Broughman which he wrote on the contest in
the church of Scotland, that was closed by the
decision in the Auchterarder case, attracted the
attention Of the evangelical party by lis great
ability, and he was selected as the fiiesi per-
son 10 conduct the Witness newspaper, the prn-
cipal metropolitan organ of the free church.
This paper owes IFS success TO Mr.. Miler's
able articles on political, ecclesiastical, and ge-
illogical subjects.
Notwithstanding his arduous labors as an
editor, Mr. Miller enthusiastically devoted him
self TO the prosecution Of scientific inquiries,
which resulted in the publication of several
works that have achieved for him an undying
fame. The first of his books, entitled "Scenes
and Legends of the North of Scotland" was
printed 10 1885, and proved highly popular,
having run through several editions, and been
re-published in this Country. Another work,
entitled 1.-THE Whiagsm of the Old School, as
exemplifed in the Past History and Present
Position of the Church Of Scotland" attained
great local celebrity. But the works which
have given TO MIR. Miller a world-w ide reputa-
ton, are "The Old Red Sandstone, or New
Walk in an Old Field, First Impressions of
England and its People, and Footprints Of
the Creator" These works have probably
done more TO popu!arze geology, than any 9th
er writings upon this science. Al The same
time they have ably set forth the harmony Of
the revealed word with the works Of the Crea-
tor.
One Of the most recent of the works of Hugh
Miller, and one which shows the versatility Of
his genius, is reply to the aspersions of Mac
ulay on Scotland II is an able, forcible and
patriotic vindicaiion of the Scottish character
from the sweeping caumnies of the historian.
Another work from his pen is now in press,
'Sermons in the Stones" and its appearance
has been looked forward 10 with much interest
as vndicaton Of the Mosaic record BY geo
logical proofs. The manuscript is probably
completed, although all of The sheets have mol
yet been received by his American publishers
Messrs. Gould & Lincoln.
Mr.. Miller probably had wider popularity
in this country than in the old world There
was something in the fact that he was self
made man which at once. commended him to
the favor Of the American public, ard his rep
utation has grown with every new work from
his pen. His many friends aud admirers were
looking forward with pleasure to the fulflment
Of promise that he would soon visit this coun-
Try, but thc ways OF Providence are inscrutabic
We hazard little in saying that the tidings Of
the death Of no public man in the old world
would be received here with more sorrow. He
has left void in the ranks of the men of SCI
ence which will not soon be filed. Boston
Journal.