482 MAN OF SCIENCE. 



dead instantaneously. The body was found lying on 

 the floor, the feet upon the study rug. 



A post-mortem examination having been made, the 

 following report was 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 satis- 

 fied, 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, 

 'A. H. BALEOUR, 

 <W. T. GAIRDNER, 

 <A. M. EDWARDS.' 



It is a melancholy satisfaction to reflect that, in no 

 case of suicide which ever took place, can the evidence of 

 insanity have been more express or conclusive. Had 

 no trace of disease been found in the brain had no 

 word written by Hugh Miller at the last attested mad- 

 ness the overwork to which he had subjected himself, 

 the excitement to which he had been a prey, would 

 have afforded adequate grounds for believing him insane. 

 But the actual mania which was gaining the mastery 

 over him had been defined by himself some days before 

 his death ; and this mania, namely, that he was driven 

 by witches or demons in the darkness, is specified be- 

 yond possibility of mistake or doubt, in the thrilling 

 words, ' I must have walked? That even when he was 



