He went very little into
general society, even at St. Andrews, and thus failed, perhaps, to
make acquaintances who might have been `useful.' He would have
scorned the idea of making useful acquaintances. But without
seeking them, why should we reject any friendliness when it offers
itself? We are all members one of another. Murray speaks of his
experience of human beings, as rich in examples of kindness and
good-will. His shyness, his reserve, his extreme unselfishness,--
carried to the point of diffidence,--made him rather shun than seek
older people who were dangerously likely to be serviceable. His
manner, when once he could be induced to meet strangers, was
extremely frank and pleasant, but from meeting strangers he shrunk,
in his inveterate modesty.
In 1886 Murray had the misfortune to lose is father, and it became,
perhaps, more prominently needful that he should find a profession.
He now assisted Professor Meiklejohn of St. Andrews in various kinds
of literary and academic work, and in him found a friend, with whom
he remained in close intercourse to the last. He began the weary
path, which all literary beginners must tread, of sending
contributions to magazines.
Pages:
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57