He failed, but he was
undefeated.
In the following sketch of Murray's life and work use is made of his
letters, chiefly of letters to his mother. They always illustrate
his own ideas and attempts; frequently they throw the light of an
impartial and critical mind on the distinguished people whom Murray
observed from without. It is worth remarking that among many
remarks on persons, I have found not one of a censorious, cynical,
envious, or unfriendly nature. Youth is often captious and keenly
critical; partly because youth generally has an ideal, partly,
perhaps chiefly, from mere intellectual high spirits and sense of
the incongruous; occasionally the motive is jealousy or spite.
Murray's sense of fun was keen, his ideal was lofty; of envy, of an
injured sense of being neglected, he does not show one trace. To
make fun of their masters and pastors, tutors, professors, is the
general and not necessarily unkind tendency of pupils. Murray
rarely mentions any of the professors in St. Andrews except in terms
of praise, which is often enthusiastic. Now, as he was by no means
a prize student, or pattern young man for a story-book, this
generosity is a high proof of an admirable nature.
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