esistible in its winning grace, all combined in the man able, by the
mere force of quiet intellectual skill, to bear the brunt of an assault
which threatened demolition in its furious advance, and to turn aside
blows intended for annihilation. Lord Chesterfield addressing his son,
points to Pitt and Murray as to two great models for imitation.
Contemporary history assigns to them the highest place among their
fellows.

In 1756 Sir Dudley Ryder died, and Murray immediately claimed the vacant
Chief Justiceship. The Duke of Newcastle was panic-stricken by the
announcement. It has it said that from the beginning the Attorney-General
had been the mainstay of the Government; but at this particular crisis
his adherence was essential to its life. The nation was discontented and
sullen, as well it might be. War, carried on in almost every part of the
world, had resulted in lasting disgrace to England. Minorca had been lost
to her through the folly or cowardice of an English admiral, and
elsewhere ignominious defeat had attended her arms. Addresses from the
Throne poured in, intimations of stopping the supplies were thrown out,
and unmistakable references made to the conduct of the chiefs of the
Government. Fox, the only capable Minister, resigned his office in fear
and disgust, and, at the very moment when Newcastle turned to Murray as
to his last hope and refuge in the coming storm, that cautious and
resolute official respectfully demanded the promotion to which he had a
right. Alarmed for his place and his head, the Duke promised the
Attorney-General enough to make the fortunes of six if he would but
forego his purpose. He should have the Duchy of Lancaster for life,
tellerships and reversions without end for himself and his nephew, Lord
Stormont; if he would only stay in the House of Commons until the address
was carried he should have a pension of 6,000l. a-year; offers rose as
Murray showed himself more firm. Temptation came in vain. Murray averred
that he "would on no terms agree to remain in the House of Commons for
one session longer, or one month, or one day, even to support the
address;" he "never again would enter that assembly." If he could not be
Chief Justice he would not be Attorney-General. That peremptory avowal
was enough. To keep Murray from opposition, Newcastle conferred upon the
country the only great boon he ever bestowed upon it, and made the
Attorney-General Chief Justice of the King's Bench. The poor Duk