engaged in
these and similar pursuits, or at the Courts of Westminster listening to
judgments, he would take his chief of all delights in the company of the
juridical writers of France, "that he might see how the Roman and feudal
laws had been blended in the different provinces of that kingdom." Not a
moment was lost in making preparations for the victory which it was the
purpose of his life to win.

Technical knowledge, however, came to enlighten and inform, not to burden
and oppress. The mind of Murray rejoiced in freedom and exercised itself
in light. Text-books were his handmaidens, he was not their slave. The
exclusive labors of the great masters of his craft occupied his hours,
but he still found time for other more interesting lore common to
mankind. Craig, Bracton, Littleton, and Coke, all in their turns were
trusty counselors and dear companions, but as welcome as any to his
studious hearth was the living presence of Alexander Pope. Murray, while
at Westminster, had been introduced to the great poet, and had been
charmed by his exquisite powers of conversation. Pope was no less struck
by the accomplished genius of the young Scot, "the silvery tones of whose
voice," it is said, fell like a charm upon every ear. Pope, anxious for
the success of the youth, visited him at his chambers, in order to teach
him elocution. Once, says Lord Campbell, the young lawyer "was surprised
by a gay Templar in the act of practicing the graces of a speaker at a
glass, whilst Pope sat by in the character of preceptor." Teacher and
pupil would spend hours together thus occupied. Mr. Pope, writes Bishop
Warburton, "had all the warmth of affection for the great lawyer, and
indeed no man ever more deserved to have a poet for his friend."

In 1730 Murray paid a short visit to the continent, and on the 23d of
November in that year he was called to the bar in Lincoln's-inn hall.
Never was lawyer better armed for the battle of life. How he had
qualified himself for the practice of his profession we have attempted in
our narrow space to show. With a rooted attachment to that profession,
with a lofty ambition and noble desire to serve his country, and a
consciousness of strength equal to the bravest undertaking; with a mind
thoroughly imbued with the literature of Greece and Rome, as well as of
his own country; with a perfect understanding of the codes of every
civilized nation, ancient and modern; with an intimate knowledge and an
accurate