fessional career by becoming a candidate for the vacant professorship of law at Glasgow. His marriage about this time, and an unwillingness to be a burden to his friends during the usual slow progress of legal emolument, were the motives which induced him to prefer a moderate certainty to a more brilliant contingency. To this post he was appointed in 1761, and immediately began to execute its duties. At this time the students of law in the university of Glasgow seldom exceeded four or five in number; but his reputation produced such an accession in a few years, that they often amounted to forty; and the attendants upon his lectures on government were much more numerous. He adopted the innovation introduced by his predecessor of lecturing in the English language instead of the Latin; and he spoke extemporaneously, using no other notes than the heads of his topics properly arranged, with references to the principal facts and illustrations. By these means his lectures were rendered full of variety and animation; and at the conclusion of each he was accustomed to explain the difficulties or objections started by his pupils, in a free conversation. To the proper business of his professorship, which was that of commenting upon the institutions and pandects of Justinian, he subjoined a course of lectures on jurisprudence, or the general principles of law as existing in the codes of all civilized nations; and he also employed an hour thrice a week in lectures on government, and twice a week upon the law of Scotland. In addition to these exertions of professional industry, he devoted much time to the instruction of the domestic pupils, of whom his high reputation secured a constant succession, and whom he treated with the greatest kindness and liberality. The spirit of investigation which had long distinguished Glasgow, had given birth to a Literary Society among the professors and clergy, of which Mr. Millar became a very assidious and distinguished member. Few men were more ready and acute at discussions of the philosophical kind, and all the parts of science connected with the study of the human mind were extremely familiar to him. He was a frequent antagonist of Dr. Reid in these meetings, his own metaphysical system being that of Hume, which was in direct opposition to that of the eminent philosopher above mentioned. Their disputations were animated, but did not in the least diminish their mutual esteem and friendship.

In 1771 professor Millar published a treatise on "The Origin of the Distinction of Ranks," which was a view of the changes produced on the several relations of society by the gradual progress of civilization and improvement. It was well received by the public, and went through several editions, and a translation of it into French made it known and esteemed upon the continent. His enquiries into the English government, which made an important part of his lectures, together with his zealous attachment to the principles of liberty upon which he supposed it to be founded, induced him, in 1787, to publish "A Historical View of the English Government, from the Settlement of the Saxons in Britain, to the Accession of the House of Stewart." In this work there is much research into the remote periods of this government, and many disquisitions into the nature and limits of its constituent parts; and though the manner of treating the subject was too profound to be popular, its intrinsic merit carried it through three editions. Of the style of these works it is sufficient praise, considering their strictly didactic character, to say, in the words of his biographer, that "perhaps it would be impossible to find a sentence which can require a second perusal to be distinctly understood."

Among the parties which have divided the present reign, Mr. Millar attached himself exclusively to that of the Whigs, and particularly to that branch of them which had first the Marquis of Rockingham, and afterwards Mr. Fox, at their head. With the utmost purity of motives, and the most independent spirit, he warmly supported their principles through all the vicissitudes of administration and public opinion. He was always suspicious of power; and feeling a full conviction of the truth of the declaration of the House of Commons concerning the increase of the power of the crown, he was a zealous friend to all attempts for restraining it. It was probably in consequence of his jealousy of authority, that, in the limited degree in which he still followed the profession of an advocate, he made it a constant practice to appear in the circuits as council for criminals; and few pleaders surpassed him in the acuteness with which he examined evidence, and the force with which he addressed the feelings of juries. His abhorrence of slavery naturally led him to take an active part in the efforts for the abolition of the slave trade, and he was a constant attendant upon all the meetings held at Glasgow by

the friends of humanity for that purpose. The same principles led him to rejoice in the commencement of the French revolution, in which great event his sanguine disposition beheld an opening for the rapid advance of mankind in social improvement. To its cause he remained attached, even after a marked detestation of it was become the test of loyalty and patriotism in this country, and when he stood almost alone in his circle as its advocate. This perseverance exposed him to much obloquy, and to that degree of persecution which the opposer of a popular torrent never fails to experience, though he may steer clear of legal dangers. His good intentions were, however, manifest to all who knew him; and a friend, who widely differed from him in political opinions, has given this attestation to his worth as a public man; "No little ideas of private interest, no narrow views of advantage or emolument, sunk him to the level of party politicians; but firm, resolute, and decided, he was, from first to last, the enlightened and manly defender of what he conceived to be The Rights and Liberties of Mankind."

Mr. Millar usually past his summers first at a little farm called Whitemoss, given to him by his uncle, the natural sterility of which he took much pains to subdue; and afterwards at the pleasant seat of Milheugh, resigned to him by the same uncle, and which he rendered a delightful residence. Here, in the bosom of a numerous and amiable family, with whom he lived upon the most affectionate terms, he devoted himself to literary and rural pursuits. His vigour of constitution, sustained by temperance and exercise, brought him to advanced years with scarcely any diminution of strength and activity; but in May 1801 he was attacked with a violent pleuritic seizure, which put an end to his life on the 30th of that month, at the age of 69. He left several manuscripts, from which, in 1803, were printed in two volumes, his posthumous works, consisting of a historical view of the English government from the accession of the House of Stewart, and some separate dissertations connected with the subject. Account of the Life and Writings of John Millar, Esq. by John Craig, Esq. prefixed to the fourth Edition of the Origin of the Distinction of Ranks.-A.

MILLER, PHILIP, a celebrated horticulturist, born in 1691, was son to the gardener of the Apothecary's Company at Chelsea. He succeeded his father in that office in 1722, and by great assiduity rose to the first rank in his

profession, and made his name known to all persons at home and abroad engaged in the culture of curious and useful vegetables. Foreigners styled him "Hortulanorum Princeps," and botanists as well as gardeners held him in high esteem. By his correspondences with scientific travellers he received a constant supply of plants from various parts of the globe, which his skill enabled him to cultivate with a success before unknown; and under his superintendance the garden at Chelsea became enriched with the vegetable treasures of both Indies. His reputation gave him admittance into the Botanical Academy of Florence, and the Royal Society of London, in the latter of which he was occasionally chosen one of the council. The infirmities of age induced him to resign his office at Chelsea some time before his death, which took place in 1771, in the 80th of his age. year

In

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Philip Miller communicated in 1728 to the Royal Society "a method of raising some exotic seeds, which have been judged almost impossible to be raised in England," which consisted in first suffering them to germinate intanners bark, and then transplanting them. Some other papers of his, relative to horticulture and botany, were afterwards inserted in the Transactions of that learned body. 1730 he published without his name a logue of Hardy Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers, cultivated near London," with coloured plates; and also a Latin "Catalogue of the Officinal Plants in Chelsea Botanical Garden." In 1731his "Gardener's Dictionary" made its first appearance, in one volume, folio. This was undoubtedly the most complete and valuable work of the kind that had hitherto been published, and its reception was such that it: immediately superseded all others. It passed through several successive editions, with improvements and augmentations, and was translated into various foreign languages. A new edition of it now going on under the care of professor Martyn is a proof of the reputation still attached to its name. About the same time he published "The Gardener's Kalendar," octavo, which became a popular manual of practical gardening, and was often reprinted. To an edition in 1761 the author prefixed "A short Introduction to the Knowledge of the Science of Botany," which was an explanation of the Linnæan system. His : attachment to the methods of Ray and Tournefort had rendered him long reluctant to receive this system, but he was at length convinced of

its superiority by the arguments of Dr. Watson and Mr. Hudson. In 1755 he began to publish in numbers his "Figures of Plants adapted to his Dictionary," which he completed in three hundred tables, making two volumes, folio, in 1760. Those were all drawn from plants in his own garden, and the delineations were accurate, though sufficient care was not bestowed on some of the engravings. The subjects were limited to such as were the most beautiful, useful, or rare; and each number was accompanied with descriptions according to the systems of Ray, Tournefort, and Linnæus. On the whole it was one of the most splendid botanical works hitherto produced in England. The patriotism of Mr. Miller induced him to publish in 1758, "The Method of cultivating Madder, as it is practised by the Dutch in Zealand," quarto; with a view of promoting the culture of that valuable dying root in his own country, and thereby saving a great sum expended annually in its importation: His name has been botanically consecrated by Dr. Martyn in the Milleria, a new genus of the syngenesian class. Pulteney's Sketches of Botany in England. Halleri Bibl. Bot.-A.

MILL, JOHN, a very learned English divine and biblical critic in the seventeenth and early part of the eighteenth century, was born at Shapp in Westmoreland, about the year 1645. He was entered a servitor of Queen's college at the university of Oxford, in 1661; where he took the degree of B. A. in 1666, and that of M. A. in 1669. Afterwards he was elected a fellow of his college, and became an eminent tutor. Having entered into holy orders, he also distinguished himself by his pulpit talents, and was much admired as an eloquent preacher. One specimen only of his sermons was committed to the press, which was preached "On the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at St. Martin's in the Fields, Westminster," and published in 1676, in quarto. It contains judicious observations on the worship of the Virgin Mary, and shews it to be so far from having been an apostolic or primitive practice, that neither the scriptures, nor the christian writers for the first three hundred years, give the least countenance to such a kind of devotion. About the time of its appearance, his countryman and fellow-collegian, Dr. Lamplugh, being made bishop of Exeter, appointed Mr. Mill one of his chaplains, and gave him a prebend in his cathedral church. In 1680, our author was admitted to

the degree of bachelor of divinity; and in the following year was presented by his college to the rectory of Blechingdon in Oxfordshire. He proceeded doctor of divinity in the year last mentioned; about which time he was nominated chaplain in ordinary to king Charles II. Dr. Mill had now been employed for some years in preparing for the press his very valuable edition of "The New Testament," which will transmit his name with distinguished honour to posterity. This grand and elaborate work he had been advised and encouraged to undertake by Dr. John Fell, bis.op of Oxford and the impression was begun at the printinghouse near the theatre in that city, at his lordship's expence. The death of the bishop, however, occurring when about fifteen sheets had been worked off, and his executors not being willing to proceed with the work, Dr. Mill refunded to them such sums as his lordship had advanced, and determined to complete it at his own risk. To this noble undertaking he devoted the thirty last years of his life, with the most patient assiduity, as well as scrupulous care; and he had the satisfaction of seeing his useful labours brought to a close, and the fruits of them presented to the world. In 1685 Dr. Mill was elected principal of St. Edmund's Hall in Oxford; which preferment was very acceptable, as it gave him an honourable settlement in the university, and enabled him to prosecute his design to the utmost advantage. He was also further rewarded for engaging in it, by a presentation to a prebendal stall in the cathedral of Canterbury, which Dr. Sharp, archbishop of York, obtained for him from queen Anne, in the year 1704. His Greek Testament made its appearance in 1707; but he did not survive this event more than a fortnight, being carried off by a stroke of apoplexy, when he was in the 63d year of his age. Of his great learning and accurate critical skill, his work is a lasting monument; and it should also be recorded, that he was intimately acquainted with the Oriental languages. Of his private life and manners his biographers have not furnished any memorials. Dr. Mill's great work is entitled, "Novum Testamentum Gra cum, cum Lectionibus variantibus MSS. Exempla rium, Versionum, Editionum, S. S. Patrum et Scriptorum ecclesiasticorum; et in easdem Notis, &c." in folio. It is founded upon, and is an improvement of Robert Stephens's sumptuous and elegant folio edition, published at Paris in 1550, which has in the inner margin

à l'Histoire de Louis XIV. et de Louis XV., composés sur les Pieces originales recullies par Adrien-Maurice duc de Noailles," six vo lumes, 12mo. He also published some "Discourses" read before the French Academy, of which he was a member; and a "Translation of select Harangues from the Latin Historians." The abbé Millot in his historical works shews himself so far unprejudiced by his ecclesiastical profession, that some have charged him with being too much disposed to dwell on the vices and usurpations of the clergy. This, however, is done rather in the spirit of truth and candour, than in that of the modern French philosophy. Nouv. Dict. Hist.—A.

MILTIADES, a famous Athenian general, was son of Cimon, and grandson of Miltiades who founded an Athenian colony on the Thracian Chersonesus. After the assassination of his uncle Stesagoras in the colony, Miltiades was sent by the Pisistratida from Athens to take the command; and having by a stratagem got into his power the principal men of the Chersonesians, he made himself master of the whole district, and married Hegesypila, daughter of Olorus king of Thrace. When Darius I. king of Persia undertook an expedition against the Scythians, and throwing a bridge across the Danube marched into their country, he entrusted the guard of the bridge to the Ionian Greeks, the commanders of whom he had attached to himself by raising them to the supreme authority in their several cities. Miltiades, who appears to have been one of them, moved by that spirit of Grecian patriotism which was paramount to all other duties, urged the other leaders to break down the bridge and desert their charge, in order that a prince so hostile to Grecian liberty might never return in safety. As an apology for this advice, it is asserted that the time was elapsed which Darius had fixed as the limit of their stay. His counsel was approved by all the rest except Hystiæus the Milesian, who had influence enough to prevent its taking effect. Miltiades, not choosing to await the king's return, embarked for Athens, and in his way took possession of the isle of Lemnos for his countrymen. Darius, after his return from his Scythian expedition, having resolved upon the conquest of Greece, sent Mardonius at the head of a powerful army to invade it. That general landed in Euboea, where he destroyed the city of Eretria, and then advanced to the plains of Marathon, within ten miles of Athens. The alarm of its citizens was extreme; but a gallant

resolution was taken of marching out to meet the foe with such troops as they could assemble, and soliciting succours from the other Grecian states. Nine thousand men were raised, who were joined by a thousand Plateans; and this small army was opposed to that of the Persians, consisting, on the most moderate estimate, of one hundred thousand foot and ten thousand horse. It was placed under ten commanders, of whom Miltiades was one; and each in turn was to command the whole for a single day; a preposterous regulation, which was sufficient to ruin the cause! A polemarch was however appointed, whose authority seems to have been equal to that of the rest united. At a council of war, in which the opinions were much divided, Miltiades proposed giving battle immediately; on the ground that delay might introduce dissension in the army, and afford time for corruption to operate in favour of the Persians. He was supported by Aristides; and Callimachus the polemarch being brought over, the measure was determined upon. The other generals were likewise induced by the example of Aristides to resign their days to Miltiades, who was thus invested with the supreme command. He waited, however, for his own proper turn, and then, without delay, brought on the engagement. He drew up his small army with skill, protecting the flanks with felled trees against the Persian cavalry, and placing his principal force in the wings. The contest was obstinate; the Grecian centre was broken, but each wing having defeated its opponents, closed round upon the Persian centre, and forced it to retreat. As the Greeks had no cavalry, the slaughter of the fugitives was Herodotus, the best authority, states the loss of the Persians at 6300, and that of the Athenians at 192. The victory, however, saved Greece, and has rendered the name of Marathon famous in history. The Persians were beat back to their ships, soine of which were taken; and after an unsuccessful attempt of their fleet to surprise Athens before the return of its defenders, they sailed away from the Grecian coast.

Miltiades, to whom the chief honour of this victory was unanimously given, was then entrusted with a strong armament fitted out on his suggestion, for the reduction of some of the islands which had taken part with the Persians. He sailed to Paros, and laid siege to its capital; but either a false alarm of the approach of the Persian fleet, or an unsuccessful attempt to