134 Some LETTERS OF PATRICK MILLER. 
dent member. I am disposed to think the Duke will give 
his interest to Sir Robert Laurie, and that in that case he 
could carry the county.’’% 
Two years later Sir Robert Laurie stood for the county, 
and began a systematic canvass :— 
‘“ When Sir Robert applied to me for my vote, I told 
him plainly that J entertained opinions so different from 
him in regard to the present administration and the present 
war (which, if continued much longer, would, I was afraid, 
ruin this nation) that | would not only not give him my vote, 
but if any other candidate, tho’ a stranger to my way of 
thinking, should offer himself, he might depend on my 
vote. ’’56 
Had Miller lived at the present day, he would have been 
described as a Little Englander, a friend of every country 
save his own. Certainly his outlook on affairs would have 
given ample scope for the taunt. His younger son, William, 
was in the Army, but wished to send in his papers, with the 
full concurrence of his father, provided it could be done 
honourably :— 
‘‘ There is nothing a wise man values to be obtained 
in the Army. Rank is not the criterion of merit, but the 
consequence of money or political servility.’"%” 
It appears that William only thought of getting rid of 
his commission when the French published a decree that no 
prisoners were to be taken or quarter given to the English. 
All this was well known to Miller, who approved as long as 
it was effected ‘‘ without impeachment of his character or 
honour ”’ :— 
‘“T cannot think it right to run the risk of one’s life 
voluntarily in a war of which we disapprove.”’ 
Surely this passage would make a fine text for the present-day 
conscientious objector. Yet in spite of this peculiarity of 
character Miller was a true patriot. The very next sentence 
‘from the same letter rings true :— 
““On the other hand, if we were attacked by the 
French or any power whatsoever, I would think meanly of 
any man that would hesitate a moment to take arms in 
defence of his country.’ 
