Year: 1871

asters Hugh Miller has left an interesting record OF
mis- early aspirations after literary culture and the means
by which be prepared to exchange the position OF


,onrneyman for that of leading power among the
intellectual men Scotland His subsequent course Is
described in present volumes with great uness o oe
tail although the narrative is overloaded with am
bilious ornaments, and lacks the simplicity Oh sI''o
men and neatness of style which are eSsehual 70 '


charm Of biographical composition Hugh M'uer
is Justly represented remarkable example OF
successful seeducation. He claims that dlstlhcuon
not SO much on account Of lack Of the advantages OF
Reademc discipline, for the restless energy Win


which he addressed himself 10 the task OF correcting LIS
original mental deficiencies Men often rise 10 hgh
degree OF eminence in social and public life who nave
never enjoyed a university training hut they cannot
fer that reason necessarily classed in the ranks OF
selteducated men. They have attained distinction by
the force of native talent and industry rather than by
any conscious purpose Of individual culture They
have never proposed to themselves self-mprovement
rs definite aim, hut have been borne ON by an inward
impulse and the pressure of circumstances TO eminenee
and renown. Hugh Miller, the other hand, early De
voted himself to the work of mental advancemen ana
never lost sight Of il amid the changes Of subsequent
life Self-cultuTe his specific aim. Intensely anpf
tous Of intellectual greatness, he at once adop'cu INC
legitimate means for its attainment. His nature was VI


massive and athletic east. With the sensitive lue ol
n woman, he had huge appetite Tor fame' comoiheu
with the love and controversy when grows out
Of n strong animal temperament. THIS native energy OF
character took the direction of scientific ana literary
eminence His thirst for knowledge was lnSauate; ne
had sincere passion for sciences
were inspired by zeal for TRUTH not like those OF
Goethe valued only the means Of selfdeyelopmenti
but s he was constant to the great purpose OF his
bfe never ceased to study order unfold his powers
never neglected TO task his mind for the sake OF attain
ing the lofty nights which he aimed His desire Tor
excellence in literary composition amounted to passion
He was constantly haunted by visions of perfection IN
% so aFaFan a
never content with anything short of ideal
heauty and vigor in the art Of express
zion His style was cultivated with the fond
nssiduty with which mother loves TO trick out the IN
liant graces of her darling At tme he even aspired
10 the accomplishment of writing verse But he soon
his gifts offered promise of successful
woong the poetic Muse. With the sturdy good sense
which was a part OF his nature, he renOunced the at
Tempt and only occasionally INDUCED in merlcal enc
Mons for the amusement of himself and his children.
He has been considered as great master Of EnghSh
prose- this respect think his merits have been
exaggerated. His power Of description was, certainly
remarkable and his pictures Of natural scenery in many
instances combine a wondrous glow of cOlorDg with the
Rdety of accurate delineatiOn There are passages'


too in his controversial writings the fierce and stately
Vehemence Of which seems like an echo OF Mlt0nc


grandeur; but in general, his style is elaborate ana


artificial TO painful degree wearying the attention OF


he reader and betrayng the nveterate deSre 10 I'M


hroye upon the simplicity Of Nature. His favorite


models of composition Addison and Goldsmith 10


whom he is preposterously compared by his boTapher


but he approaches the careless gaces of the one


Or the flowing sweetness Of the other. All bis SEN


nces bear the stamp OF selfcOnsciOusness, and there


,ore fail Of the enchantment Of natural expression


The personal character OF Hugh Miller was I'M
pressye but without the winning traits that command
extensive sympathy His Of duty was, perhaps


e strongest element in his nature, and the next, bis
love of victory He had of the arts Of conciaton
which dsarrn an enemy make friends fcf life among
,nes ae0uainauce His religion had all the austerity
though perhaps the gloom Of the old Covenaners
IN society he was distant and shy. not much dStTus
iul Of his powers, suspicious of neglect, and
wholly destitute of the artess huency of conversation
meanders without purpose, and almost without con-
forming of the principal charms OF social
intercourse. His domestic life presents delightful image
pf ardent affection and quiet happiness His marriage
was singularly fortunae-he fruit Of attachment Of
many yearS-and shade over its brightness to
the end-H claims a OF science have been recog
nzed by the highest authorities, although hs achieve
nents have been somewhat eclipsed in the brilliant
sourse Of discovery which has been accomplished since
his decease. Had he lived 10 the present day Mr.
Bayne suggests he would have entertained the theories
Of Darwin in the spirit of strenuous but impartial crt
tsn distinctly declaring. he did with reference TO
the Old theory development that they had no neces-
sary affinity with atheism. He would not have shrunk
IRON the admission that the law of pain prevails through
cut the world Of lfe and that survival of the fttest
with the weakest the wall" is the rule of physical
nature, -~-..--- ~r---