HUGH MILLER. 123 



Leith, with its thicket of masts, and its tall round tower, lay 

 deep in shade in the foreground — a cold, dingy, ragged town, 

 but so strongly relieved against the pale smoky grey of the 

 background, that it seemed another little city of Zoar, entire in 

 front of the burning.' 



Hugh Miller visited the burying-grounds, the churches, and 

 the various places of historical interest in and around Edin- 

 burgh, and found employment at his trade at Niddrie House, 

 in the neighbourhood. That his life there ministered to his 

 growth is abundantly evident, although the workmen with 

 whom he was obliged to associate were many of them of a low 

 type of character. After working two seasons at Niddrie, he 

 returned to Cromarty, where he was welcomed by his uncle, 

 his cousin George, and other relatives. His two years' work 

 had given him the 'stonecutter's malady,' which probably 

 weakened his lungs for life. At home he renewed acquain- 

 tanceship with John Swanson, and corresponded with William 

 Ross, whom he had left in Edinburgh. His friendship and 

 correspondence with Swanson was of immense benefit to him 

 from a religious point of view. Swanson would not let young 

 Miller rest until he had asked of himself a reason for the faith 

 that was in him. In January 1826 he wrote to this effect: 

 ' Go on, my dear Hugh, go on, and the Lord Himself will 

 bless you. If you are not lander the teaching of the Spirit of 

 God I am deceived, and if I do not find you soon established 

 in the way of happiness, peace, and life, I shall be miserably 

 disappointed.' Miller in turn, in writing to his friend Ross,' 

 assumed the same tone of friendly earnestness regarding his 

 highest welfare. He had in the meantime pursued his occupa- 

 tion as stonecutter, as health and opportunity permitted. In 

 the spring of 1828 he drew up a list, headed, ' Things which I 



