FLITTING PAROXYSMS. 475 



was strong and clear. That powerful action of the 

 mind may take place even when it is under the spell of 

 overmastering mania is demonstrated by the fact that 

 Cowper wrote in a single day, while suffering ' the most 

 appalling mental depression/ the Castaway, a poem 

 which, in the masculine brevity of its narrative, and the 

 concentration of its tragic power, is altogether masterly. 

 Listening to the conversation of Hugh Miller, which, 

 even while he described the agonies that tortured him, 

 attested the vigour of his faculties, the medical gentle- 

 men never thought it possible that intensity of mental 

 horror might suddenly paralyze his will, and deprive 

 reason of control over his actions. It is so easy to be 

 wise after the event ! so difficult to forecast the steps of 

 destiny ! The riddle of the Sphynx, once we know its 

 solution, looks childishly simple ; and yet it took an 

 (Edipus to read it. 



Professor Miller and Dr Balfour having left Shrub 

 Mount, it was now time for dinner. The servant entered 

 the -dining-room to spread the table, and found Mr 

 Miller alone. The expression which once or twice 

 already had been observed on his features was again 

 there. His face was so distorted with pain, that she 

 shrank back appalled. He lay down upon the sofa, 

 and pressed his head, as if in agony, upon the cushion. 



The paroxysm flitted by, and when Mrs Miller 

 returned to the dining-room he was in apparent health. 

 She naturally shared the hopeful anticipations which 

 Professor Miller had expressed, and her mind would 

 dwell with comfort on the regimen and rest which were 

 now, by medical authority, to be brought to bear upon his 

 case. After dinner the conversation turned upon poetry. 

 Miss Miller, ' then just blooming into womanhood, be- 

 tween sixteen and seventeen years of age/ was at the 



