The Testimony of the Rocks: or, Geology in Its Bearings on the Two Theologies, Natural and Revealed — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Testimony of the Rocks: or, Geology in Its Bearings on the Two Theologies, Natural and Revealed
John Stuart Mill · en
HUGH MILLER.
What a legacy of love to a broken-hearted family! and to us, and
all who loved him, how pleasing to observe, that in that
bewildering hour, when the horror of that great darkness came down
upon that noble spirit, and some hideous, shapeless phantom
overpowered it, and took from it even the capacity to discern the
right from the wrong, humility, and faith, and affection, still
kept their hold;--amid the ruins of the intellect, that tender
heart remaining still unbroken! These last lines remain as the
surest evidence of the mysterious power that laid his spirit
prostrate, and of the noble elements of which that spirit was
composed,--humble, and reverent, and loving to the last.
Yesterday, at the request of friends, and under the authority of
the Procurator-Fiscal, a _post mortem_ examination of the body took
place. We subjoin the result:--
"EDINBURGH, December 26, 1856.
"We hereby certify, on soul and conscience, that we have this day
examined the body of Mr. Hugh Miller, at Shrub Mount, Portobello.
"The cause of death we found to be a pistol-shot through the left
side of the chest; and this, we are satisfied, was inflicted by his
own hand.
"From the diseased appearances found in the brain, taken in
connection with the history of the case, we have no doubt that the
act was suicidal under the impulse of insanity."
JAMES MILLER, W.T. GAIRDNER,
A.H. BALFOUR, A.M. EDWARDS.
We must ask to be excused from attempting any analysis of Mr.
Miller's character and genius, or any estimate of the distinguished
services he has rendered to literature, science, and the Christian
faith. His loss is too heavy a one,--his removal has come upon us
too suddenly and too awfully for mind or hand to be steady enough
for such a task. The voice of the public press has already told
what a place he had won for himself in the admiration and affection
of his countrymen; and for the delicate and tender way in which the
manner of his departure has universally been alluded to, were we
permitted to speak in the name of Mr. Miller's friends, we should
express our deepest gratitude. It is a beautiful and worthy tribute
that his brother journalists have rendered to the memory of one who
was a laborer along with them in elevating the talent and tone of
our newspaper literature.