ing no help or direction beyond the concordance and the reference of his polyglot Bible. He was guided in his interpretation entirely by his private judgment, and ultimately concentrated his atten- tion upon the prophecies, particularly those of the second coming. In 1831 he rose from his prolonged study under a solemn conviction that to him had been given the key unlocking the prophetical num- bers, and that he must go forth and proclaim to a doomed woi'ld that in twelve years, at longest, the end of all things would come ; that some time be- tween 21 March, 1843, and 21 March. 1844, Jesus Christ would appear in person to judge the world. He was licensed to preach by the Baptist church at Low Hampton, but was never ordained. Multi- tudes pressed to hear him wherever he went, and he could not respond to the numerous invitations he received to lecture upon the prophecies. He paid his own expenses as a rule, and there was no admission-fee to his lectures. Churches were thrown open to him everywhere at first — excepting those of the Episcopalians 'and Roman Catholics — and many prominent clergymen became advocates of his doctrine. The tide of his popularity turned when some of his converts fastened the name of "Babylon" upon the churches, calling upon "be- lievers in the blessed hope " to " come out of her " if they would be saved. The vital point of his ar- gument was the connection between the seventy weeks of Daniel and the 2,300 days, and therein was the revelation of the exact time of the end. The grand culmination of the fanaticism was 24-25 Oct., 1844, "the tenth day of the seventh month" excitement. The mistake in fixing upon 1843, it was shown, grew out of a neglect to consider the difference between Roman and Jewish time ; 1843 Jewish time was 1844 Roman time, and the new revelation had given not only the year but the month and the day, " and probably the hour even." The clew had been found in the fact that the tenth day of the seventh month was that of the great day of the atonement. Naturally there was intense ex- citement among the believers, until not only the month of October but that of November had passed. They gathered themselves together in great multi- tudes, and hundreds were baptized by immersion. They did not array themselves in ascension-robes, as has been universally believed. The offshoots of the fanaticism were many, each founded on some interpretation of Scripture according to private judgment. One Mrs. Miner, of Philadelphia, went to Palestine to make ready that land for the tarry- ing Messiah. There was a " shut-door " faction, which asserted that Christ came spiritually on the tenth day, and had " shut to the door " against all unbelievers. The " Feet- Washers" were another phase of the reaction from disappointment. There was a marked drift to the Shakers, while many went back to " Babylon," thankful for the refuge. But the majority of Father Miller's converts. 50,000 or more, did not forsake their leader, nor give up their faith in the speedy appearing. On 25 April, 1845, he called a convention of his followers, a dec- laration of faith was agreed upon, and the name of " Adventist" was adopted by the new sect, which, under various names, has been increasing ever since. Father Miller published many sermons and lectures, and his " Dream of the Last Day " had a large cir- culation. See " Memoirs of William Miller," by Sylvester Bliss (Boston, 1853).
MILLER, William, English soldier, b. in Wing-
ham, Kent, 2 Dec, 1795 ; d. at Callao. 31 Oct.. 1861.
He entered the British army, and served in Spain
and North America till 1817,'when he went to South
America and joined the Peruvians in their struggle
for independence. He became an intimate friend'
of Simon Bolivar, and rose to the rank of a general
of division of Peru. He was chief of cavalry under
Bolivar at the battle of Junin, 6 Aug., 1824, and to
commemorate his services Bolivar gave to Miller's
regiment the name of " Hiisares de Junin." His
most gallant exploit was a charge that he made at
the head of the hussars at the battle of Ayacucho,
9 Dec, 1824. At the battle of Pisco he nearly lost
his life, yet afterward he was one of the leaders in
Lord Cochrane's daring capture of Valdivia. In
an attack on Chiloe a grape-shot passed through
one thigh and his right instep was crushed by a
cannon-ball. In 1825 he was governor of Potosi,
but in 1826 he returned to England, and in 1843
became British consul-general to the Pacific islands.
He was given 450,000 acres in the Argentine Re-
public for his services in South America, and his
deeds have been celebrated by South American
poets. His " Memoirs in the Service of Peru,
1817-'26" were published by his brother (2 vols.,
London, 1828). See also Cyrus Redding's " Per-
sonal Reminiscences " (1867).
MILLER, William, Canadian statesman, b. in
Antigonish, Nova Scotia, 12 Feb., 1835. He was
educated at St. Andrew's grammar-school, Anti-
gonish academy, studied law, and was admitted to
the bar of Nova Scotia in 1860. He was a repre-
sentative in the Nova Scotia assembly from 1863
till 1867, and while in the house supported the
union project. Though in favor of confederation,
he was opposed to the financial conditions and
other details of the Quebec scheme of union, and
it was upon his suggestion and with his assistance-
that the compromise was effected whereby the dele-
gation to London was appointed in 1866. He was
nominated a delegate to the London colonial con-
ference of 1866-'7, but declined. Mr. Miller was
called to the senate in 1867, and was speaker from
17 Oct., 1883, until the dissolution of parliament
in 1887. He was offered a seat on the bench by
Alexander Mackenzie, but declined it, as he did a
later offer made by Sir John A. Macdonald.
MILLER, William Henry Harrison, cabinet
officer, b. in Augusta, Oneida co., N. Y.. 6 Sept.,
1840. He was graduated at Hamilton in 1861, and
removed to Maumee City, Ohio, to take charge of
a public school. Soon afterward he read law in
Toledo, in the office of the late Chief-Justice Waite.
In 1863 he went to Peru, Ind., to take charge of
the public schools, teaching for two years. He
was admitted to the bar in 1865, practised in Peru
for a year, and then settled at Fort Wayne, Ind.
In 1874 Mr. Miller formed a partnership with Gen.
Benjamin Plarrison, which caused his removal to
Indianapolis. From that time until the election
of Gen. Harrison to the presidency the two, in
conjunction with Cyrus C. Hines, and afterward
John P. Elam, had the largest law practice in the
state of Indiana. Mr. Miller was appointed at-
torney-general by Pi'esident Harrison, 5 March,
1889. and was confirmed on the same day.
MILLET, Baudonin Henry (mil-lay). Flemish adventurer, b. in Malines in 1583 ; d. there in 1651. The early part of his life is unknown, except that he served in the Spanish army, and afterward in the expedition of the French to Brazil in 1613 under La Renardiere. He received in 1629
from the Company of the Indies the command of an expedition for the discovery of the fabialous El Dorado and the gold lake of Parima, which was then supposed to exist somewhere in southern Guiana. The explorers advanced as far as Urariquira river, and descended it to the Maranon. but, the want of provisions and hostile Indians delay-
