VI 



In the year 1870 he was appointed a member of the Commission. 

 Internationale dn Metre. This led to various visits to Paris between 

 the above year and 1874. More than one of his colleagues has ex- 

 pressed in the warmest terms his sense of the value of Professor 

 Miller's services to that Commission. Perhaps there was no member 

 whose opinions had greater weight in influencing a decision upon any 

 intricate and difficult question. 



His services to this Society must not be forgotten in a sketch of his 

 life, however brief. Elected a Fellow in the year 1838, he was 

 appointed Foreign Secretary in 1856, a post for which he was emi- 

 nently fitted by his accurate and extensive knowledge of French, 

 German, and Italian, his methodical habits, and unvarying courtesy, as 

 well as by his extensive scientific knowledge. 



To those who enjoyed Professor Miller's friendship three charac- 

 teristics were conspicuous above all. One was the extent and the accu- 

 racy of his knowledge. Not only on those subjects to which he had more 

 notably devoted himself, but on almost any question of physical science 

 he was an authority. Younger men in Cambridge looked upon him as 

 a kind of living encyclopaedia, for their questions were at once met by 

 answers, clear, accurate, and concise. As one of tbe most competent 

 judges now living in that University writes, " There was, I think, no 

 person in Cambridge whose knowledge of natural philosophy on the 

 whole exceeded, or even equalled, that of Professor Miller. He kept 

 up his reading to an extent that was surprising." 



Another was the simplicity of his disposition. Seldom has there 

 been a man with so few wants. To all except himself he was generous ; 

 hospitable to his friends, he was almost Spartan in his own habits. 

 This trait combined with the remarkable inventiveness of his mind, is 

 evidenced even in his laboratory. There the visitor is surprised to find 

 the most homely odds and ends utilised in the construction of instru- 

 ments capable of performing delicate measurements. " Give Professor 

 Miller," a friend has said, " some loose lenses, bits of glass tubing, 

 laths, copper wire, and especially some pill-boxes, and he will make any 

 instrument that he wants." 



The third characteristic was the remarkable combination which he 

 exhibited of independence of thought and freedom of opinion, with 

 gentleness of temper and speech, with forbearance, courtesy, and 

 respect for the opinion of others. No one, however conscious of infe- 

 riority, whether in experience or in mental powers, had any reason to 

 fear to speak in the presence of Professor Miller. His words were 

 sure to be received with consideration, often almost with deference, 

 beyond their deserts. 



His life's course was tranquil and full of quiet happiness. Until his 

 last illness he enjoyed excellent health. Tear after year was spent in 

 the labours — to him a pleasure — which have been briefly noticed, with 



