66 (seemed to play round a wider circle, and with more of buoyant joyfulness. An important point in Miller's life was his visit to Inverness, where he printed his volume of "Poems Written in the Leisure Hours of a Journeyman Stonemason," and made the acquaintance of Mr. Robert Cara valuable counsellor to the young mason. Happily, he was able to give a worthy man help without seeming to patronize him. Miller contributed to the Courier his letters on the " Herring Fishery," which excited a more than local interest, on account of their true poetic spirit, their picturesqueness, shrewdness, and vigour. His contributions to this journal, which only vaguely hint of the scientific bent which came out so strongly afterwards, drew to him friends here and there throughout Scotland. Noticeable among these were Principal Baird and Miss Dunbar of Boath. Hugh's correspondence with this lady is unique. Well advanced in years, she writes to him with all the wisdom of a mother and the freshness of a girl, desiring much to see tokens of the recognition of his worth by the public, and avowing a subdued delight in the very sight of his "Scenes and Legends," when the shadow that "keeps the keys of all the creeds" was putting forth a cold pale hand towards her as she waited in hope. As for Miller, he bore himself towards her with a shy freedom and graceful trustfulness which are very beautiful. To her he unveiled more of his heart than almost to any other. The delicate way in which Miss Dunbar proffered money help, and the as delicate way in which Hugh declined it, were honourable alike to the judgment and the heart of both. yet more ambitious cast, and maintained his old delight in letter-writing. To his friend Swanson he confided sufficient of his spiritual condition to justify that friend in advising with him on the subject. Miller was sad, despondent, sceptical; and Swanson's letters, albeit somewhat dogmatic and self-assured, were full of sympathy, ruthers, editor of the Courier, who proved and did Hugh good. But he was inclined to rely too much upon the aid of the rea- | son, which he had to confess is by itself inadequate to bring peace to the soul. The earnest preaching of the Rev. Alexander Stewart of Cromarty-a man of lofty mind and vivid imagination, though unambitious and retiring-supplied what was wanting, and compelled Hugh to close with the Gospel truths in simplicity and faith. Writing to William Ross, he says: Christianity is not the cunningly-devised fable I once thought it. There is a Saviour, and he who believes upon Him with that true, earnest belief which conquereth evil, shall, for the sake of the sufferings of that Saviour, have his sins forgiven him; and, for the sake of His righteousness, be rewarded. I once thought this an absurd doctrine; now, though I have more experience of men and things than I ever had before, and though my reason has strengthened, and is, I hope, still strengthening, I can regard it as a wonderful display of the wisdom of God." Once having got full sight of the truth of the Gospel, Miller never wavered. But he did not obtrude his belief; for here, as in all more interior experiences, he was shy of giving confidences; yet he was pretty much of the stuff martyrs are made of, and would have sacrificed grandly for what he conceived to be his duty in regard to the truth that had brought harmony into his nature. Henceforth he held that "the Christian is the highest style of man," and had ever before him the loftiest ideal. But he did not see why Christianity should stifle or starve any of man's natural faculties.ner in which he bore himself in face of Nay, he believed that it should stir up all what threatened to prove a permanent obright gifts to fuller power and freer exer- stacle to their union. There can be no cise for the good of others. Even his ideas doubt that his lengthened correspondence of patriotism evidently underwent a with her brought out the staid, strong change at this period. The lesson of man's capabilities of tenderness and sym"Blind Harry -the Scottish Homer-pathy with quite new lustre. It were hard took a new tinge in his riper mind, like a to say whether, in all that constitutes excloud in the evening sky of summer. cellence in the epistolary art, the letters Hereafter he was never tired of repeating to Miss Dunbar or those to Miss Fraser that the only true cosmopolitanism is Christianized patriotism. The narrow, isolated, selfish love of country he now contemned, as he had always contemned the "selfish philosophy." He projected bolder schemes than ever; and his faculties Going back to Cromarty, Hugh was reluctantly drawn into local politics, and began to be recognized as a power. Of more interest still was his meeting with Lydia Fraser, and the characteristic man are the best. Both series excel in freshness and freedom, and in spontaneous communication of the writer's personality, which yet never once verges on oppressive egotism or crude self-assertion. Relieving his heavier labours by the cut 66 phatically that the Presbytery had acted illegally in refusing to induct Mr. Robert Young to the charge to which he had been presented by the patron, and that the right of Scottish congregations to choose their own pastors was a mere figment in the eye of the law. This gave Miller a point from which to start; and, warming to his work, he produced one of the most fervent of ecclesiastical pamphlets. The eyes of the Free Church party were at once turned towards him, and in 1839 he proceeded to Edinburgh to edit the Witness. How he fulfilled that work, how faithfully he laboured to disseminate his ideas of spiritual freedom, and how much he did to unite and give stability to his party, at the same time conferring dignity and literary character upon newspaper writing, was universally felt and acknowledged, so long as the associations of the great strife were fresh enough to close the eyes of those who had been active in it to small per ting of inscriptions on tombstones, he has could estimate his own strength aright; still a little time, in his thirty-first year, to and, although slow to strike for his own devote to assisting his friend, Mr. George cause, it only needed the incitement of Anderson, in collecting geological speci- patriotic purpose to arm him and send him mens; some of which are exceedingly forth as the sturdiest of fighters. Miller curious, for they contain the petrified re- was thenceforth the champion of Free mains of animals that now no longer exist Church principles. But he never had except in a fossil state." Hereafter his sympathy with extreme Voluntaryism, chief pleasure was in science. He was an holding firmly by the theory of the State indefatigable investigator; and the results Church, in common with all the earliest of of his inquiries were given to the world in the Scotch Dissenters. Lord Brougham, several volumes, which are almost unap-in speaking in the House of Lords on the proachable for style, fancy, imagination, famous Auchterarder case, declared emand eloquence. There are few reading people but know something of the "Old Red Sandstone," "The Footprints of the Creator," and "The Testimony of the Rocks." Had it not been for his love affair, it is probable that he would have written less, and in a more limited range. "Profoundly imbued as he was with the ambition of self-culture, and loving praise with the ardour of a born literary man, he was nevertheless firmly persuaded that in the rank of mason, in the town of Cromarty, he could enjoy as much happiness as it was possible for him to enjoy on earth. He would ply the mallet in the summer days; he would owe no man a sixpence; he would read his favourite books in the evenings of June and the short days of December; he would train himself to ever-increasing vigour and grace of style, and would write with the freshness and enthusiasm of one to whom literature was its own reward." But his attachment to Miss Fraser dis-sonal antipathies. But as years went on, turbed all these schemes. His friends in- changes of view and dissensions gradually terested themselves on his behalf, and he sprang up amongst those who had once became accountant in the bank at Cro- fought shoulder to shoulder; and Miller, marty, an office whose duties he discharged shy, slow to speak and patient to bear, yet for fully five years with the utmost skill frank and blunt, and without a touch of dipand aptitude. He was married in 1837, lomatic finesse in his composition, fell, to after a courtship of six years. As bank- some extent at least, a victim to miserable clerk he found himself less productive, in misunderstandings. All this Mr. Bayne a literary respect, than he had been when tells with simplicity and sympathy. On labouring hard as a mason. He did a these years we will not dwell; but when good deal of work as a geologist, however, reading of the last stages of Hugh Miller's and corresponded with some of the lead-life, one is compelled to think of Miss ing men in that department of science. Dunbar's prescient warning, once seriously But what soon became the chief interest given to him, to have nothing to do with to him now was the conflict within the parties, and to wonder whether, with that National Church, growing year by year subtle instinct for character which dismore eager and intense, until it finally is- tinguished her, the good old lady saw that sued in the " Disruption." The patriotic Miller, with his unselfish generosity, his spirit which led him to regard complete straightforwardness and intensity of charspiritual independence, as he conceived it, acter, in which there was no trace of cunon the part of the Church as indispensable ning or aptitude for intrigue, was certain, even to the maintenance of true political sooner or later, to be dashed on the rocks, freedom, made him, like many others, throw if he ever adventured in the stormy himself warmly and proudly into the bat-waters. We cannot tell. But circumtle. Self-doubtful and humble, he yet stances proved too much for his modest, yet ardent, sensitive nature, and he died a most touching, tragic death. Both in science and literature Hugh Miller made a mark that will remain; and Edinburgh will long cherish the picture of the tall, big-boned, sandy-haired man, with the frank, grey, pensive eyes, and the strong broad forehead and bushy eyebrows, who used to pace her streets with thoughtful, stooping gait, in most careless garb; and who was regarded by the ingenuous youth, to whom he was often pointed out, with a mixture of strange curiosity and reverence. The Zodiacal Light.- CLOSELY associated | considerable eccentricity, so long as the whole with the subject of the corona, the zodiacal of each orbit lies relatively close by the sun. light has received of late considerable degree of "We are thus led to the conclusion," he adds, attention. In a long paper on the subject in" that the bodies composing the zodiacal light the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical travel on orbits of considerable eccentricity, Society, Mr. Proctor discusses the various theo-carrying them far beyond the limits of what ries which have been propounded respecting this may be called the zodiacal disc. The constituobject. He remarks that the geometrical con- tion of the disc thus becomes variable, and that siderations applicable to the zodiacal light are within limits which may be exceedingly wide. too definite to admit of question in other They must be so, in fact, if all the recorded vawords, the path to be followed in seeking for a riations of the zodiacal light are to be accounted theory of the object is unmistakable; but he con- for. In other words, it is requisite (if the evisiders that hitherto this path has not beendence is to be explained) that the paths of the traced out far enough, "the perplexities which materials composing the zodiacal light should be presently surround us as we follow it having not only for the most part very eccentric, but seemed, perhaps, to render further research that along those paths the materials should not hopeless." The very difficulties of the subject, be strewn in such a way that a given portion of however, tend to render the rejection of errone- any path is at all times occupied by a constant ous theories more certain, and therefore must or nearly constant quantity of matter. Accause the theory to admit of the more satisfac- cording to this view, the constituents of the zotory demonstration. He then proceeds to dis-diacal light resemble very closely at least, as cuss the several theories. He points out first respects distribution along their several paths, that the rising and setting of the zodiacal light, and the general figure of those paths the mein a manner precisely corresponding with what teoric systems which the earth traverses in the would be observed if it were a distant object course of her motion around the sun. Mr. like a planet or star, at once disposes of the Proctor then proceeds to show in how many retheory that the light comes from matter lying spects the results deducible from the theory acwithin the limits of the earth's atmosphere. cord with known facts respecting the zodiacal Such matter might seem, on a given occasion, light, meteoric systems, comets, and the corona. to rise or set according to such a law, precisely as a balloon might seem to follow the motion of the setting sun; but only by a singular accident, and not systematically. Again, the theory that the light is due to a matter surrounding Beds of Bog-Iron.- Ar the meeting of the the earth is disposed of by the fact that the American Association, Professor A. Winchell gleam shows no appreciable parallactic displace- presented a brief note on the above subject. It ment, as seen from different parts of the earth. related to the occurrence of enormous beds of Such a ring, if far off, would form always an all bog-iron in the upper peninsula of Michigan, on but complete arc of light, from the eastern to the tributaries of the Monistique river. It octhe western horizon; the shadow of the moon curs in a half desiccated bog covering several only appearing as a relatively narrow dark rift townships. It is of remarkable purity, and of across the brightest part of the gleam. And if great but unknown depth. It lies directly in the ring were close by, it would be invisible in the track of the projected railroad, intended to moderately high latitudes. Passing to cosmical connect the North Pacific railroad with the theories, Mr. Proctor shows that the zodiacal railroad system of Michigan. The ore can be light cannot be due to the existence of a disc of floated down the Monistique and its tributaries, bodies, travelling in orbits of small eccentricity to Lake Michigan, in the immediate vicinity of around the sun; for in that case the luminosity an excellent harbour. This immense deposit of the gleam would be more constant, and its is undoubtedly derived from the disintegration position more fixed, than is actually the case. of the hæmatites and magnetites of the contigNor can the appearance, and changes of appear-uous region on the West. The ore will possess ance, of the zodiacal light be accounted for by great value for mixing with the other Lake Suthe existence of bodies travelling in orbits of perior ores. DID Aileen accept the state of things we have described, and wean her heart from its incipient affection? Ah, reader! hearts are supremely difficult of treatment. Obstinate and wayward when we seek to win them; most obstinate and wayward to be weaned. And the heart of this girl Aileen, so worthy to be wooed and won, with its eagerness, its purity, its gratitude, its idiosyncrasies, like tides of impulsive feeling, was it to be constrained by any course of treatment? Was hers the voice to say, with hope of quietude, "Peace, be still?" She did feel that a terrible conflagration might break out, from the little spark of her affection, to consume her heart and life, and she heaped on it all the weight of reason and of circumstances, hoping to extinguish it. She tried ofttimes, too, with her tears to cool and quench it a bad, bad remedy, I tell you. Love is like heat in this at least- we do not understand it much, we cannot grasp it, and, in certain cases, it cannot be controlled. But, indeed, she believed that she had smothered it, that all that remained was the reasonable interest in this faithful friend which neither you nor I, much less she, could desire her to upgive or put away. 'Nae, whilst I leeve I'll aye bear him depth o' gratitude, store o' hairt feelin,' walth o' a' guidwill—but it's no luve that I bear noo." It is well that she can say and think it. She is a woman of keen, clear intellect; but do you believe her? "Keep thy heart with all diligence," O reader; "for out of it are the issues of life." 66 We are in that April in which the father took that high-priced licence, twelve months and more after they had settled in the village. The sewing is not oppressive, because, you know, the purchasing of clothing is mostly deferred till the great money term, the approaching Whitsunday. But there is some sewing, and the girls know that they will be strained and pushed hardly enough when the term arrives. Brilliant sunshine waits not for the term, and there are glorious, balmy spring evenings, with soft western breezes. Yet has not Mr. Marshall proposed to the sisters a single walk this season. Since spring came round in assured geniality, he says he has been overworked, kept hard at figures and accounts, and it seems to be Is the fact. Well, quiescent hearts long not for rambles, perhaps think it well that they should not gad about, find comfort in the fact they see - he goes to work at his office hours punctually. He is never to be seen idle in the square or highway. Be still, O heart, that longs for the green trees budding, for the lark's wild song. he not shut up from them also? what were the distant greenwood, the loving lark songs, unless he were there? Aileen bears the confinement of the winter thus prolonged into the sunny days, calmly at least. Annabel, the quiet, had enough to do with her work. And The evening sun goes down in the west, of course, here as elsewhere, but here it throws the shadow of Benaldie, in long projection, over the north side of the vilage square, whose eastern angle is lighted up with the setting splendour of the orb of day. The bright spot looks even weirdly dazzling from the contiguity of shade. Aileen pauses in her stitching at the window to look into the sheen, at once so dazzling and so tender. That dingy warehouse, "the merchant's shop," glows in the golden sunset, an emporium of celestial beauty, where angels, not grimy men and women, might resort. Wearily she is staring at it, with idle needle the while, when, suddenly, out of the dark shade into the bright light come two figures, surely angelic they are, so graceful and bright, each the fitting companion and complement of the other. So graceful and bright they seem that they draw from Aileen an unconscious exclamation, "Oh!" Longdrawn and peculiar it is, and it brings Annabel to her side. "Marshall and Barbara Ross," said Annabel quietly. "I thoucht it was something extraordinair!” Now Barbara Ross was "the merchant's" daughter, and he was a rich man and a worldly. He stood "high" in the community, and his daughter was а young lady" of no small expectations. She had been educated in the south, at Edinburgh and London, it was said. She was no acquaintance of our poor dressmakers, for all her things were made either in the county town or further away. She dressed handsomely too, and was a girl fair to look upon. Aileen could hear her silvery laugh come softly through the shadows that lay between them, could hear faintly the clear tones of his voice. They were parting, parting gaily, happily, as if there was happiness in certainty of meeting again. He bowed, uncovering his head, an act of courtesy rarely to be seen in these parts, save when the ungraceful rustic, with rude action, doffs his cap to his superior, the factor or other potent man of the Strath. In Aileen's eyes this ordinary courtesy of Marshall appears as the perfection of grace, as she sees it executed in that celestial sunlight from her little workroom, shabby and dingy, buried in the shade. You know that in long months by-past she thought that she had made herself mistress of her heart and her emotions, yet now is her chest oppressed, heaved with a breathing, protracted and broken, and at her heart was a sickening pain. Ah me! can this be a dead love, the thorns of which are so sharp to prick? Well, perhaps the thorns of your dead rose are more prompt to wound because there are no green leaves, no living flower to intercept them, even in part. She could not eat her bit of dry cake that night, when, her seam being laid down, she took some tea. “Ailee, I'll boil an egg for ye," said Annabel, "ye scarce ait oucht at a'." "I canna ait! Deed I dinna ken what is comin' ower me! Am no feelin' lik' masel!" Can any one feel like herself, I wonder, whose heart is cut out and carried away, leaving only pain and hollowness where the fount of life should be ? he puts on with Miss Ross? Indeed, life's yearnings are painful, its sickness great, its faintness frequent, when thus it sits in the cold shade, stitching much and eating barely, mainly feeling its own lovelessness, while sunshine and beauty and grace are abroad in the world. Aileen must prick her soul often in the silent stitching, I fear. Yet it is good that he will come on Saturday evenings, evenings longed for, notwithstanding the unsubstantial pleasure they offer. You see that as she tells herself she is not in love, that she has put away all love from her, she feels free to long for those visits, finding some solace in them through his presence; now and again, some pain. She thinks the pain proof that she has conquered her love. Indeed, she will not own to herself that she ever loved this man. She would only have loved if she had not resolved that she must not. He comes again, pleasant as ever, gayer than for many weeks. He has heard of an engagement in a far-off land, the managership of a great estate and many men in one of the colonies, which will suit him, to which he hopes he shall be appointed. It will make life clear before him, make him a man of position and of promising fortune. Annabel is loud in her pleasure in his prospects, and shares his gaiety and his hopes. Aileen can scarcely wish him success. "Come, I can sing to-night, Aileen. Let us do 'The Flowers of the Forest' together once again." They had no dainties wherewith to coax appetite. You know how much nice morsels will do to stimulate semblance of heart action. How could they have things which implied cost when they had so much to do to wipe off the debt contracted at their settlement there? They had paid their half-year's rent at Martinmas. Last Sat- "I canna sing, Marshall," she said. urday they had paid to Mr. Marshall the "I canna tell you, William, how dispiritlast pound of the ten pounds' worth of furni-ed and feeble she has been for weeks past. ture he had given to them. They had the I don't know what to make o' her," said Whitsunday term at hand, and rent to pay Annabel. "You maun take us tae walk." then. Other debts they had none; but to have lived and done so much inferred that the living must have been of the barest. It is wonderful on how little life can be supported, with how little some quiet show and appearance of the better things of life may be made to the world without. "I maun take ye, Annabel; quite right, for I am bound to take you. I met Miss Ross the other night, and she asked me to a picnic on Benaldie. I said no, that I was under promise to go there with you two, and that with you I must go first. So, when shall it be?" could she guess that in the bright sunshine he had withstood the appeal of the rich girl, and said her "nay," remembering them? And this was what he had been saying But what was all the outward show, in the bright light, this was what had what the real success which had kept them pained and troubled her so sorely! How and fed them and paid off their debts, when there was no heart for the work, only nimble fingers and a heated, weary brain to guide them? What is even the pleasure of that Saturday visit, when the visitor comes calmly and as of duty, with no greater emotion than he bears about in the every-day life of him, certainly with little of that grace and brightness which Aileen will warm and thrill with emotion at this proof of his goodness. Now she can sing, for the warmth and light of his loving-kindness fall gently on and around her. But while she sung the mournful song in concert with him, to the |