New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-19
ETIJDIES IN AUTOBIOGRAPHY
By CHARLES T. CoNGDoN.
LINDLEY MURRAY.


lander of the sixteenth century, that when he went
In Utrecht to be ordained priest be was examined
according TO custom and upon his ingenious con-
fession that he did not know one rule OF grammar
by heart" he was rejected as an lghoramuS' anu
commanded 70 90 and study his grammar with
moro anplicatiop When they found out that Cera-
tinus was one of the most learned men in LouValn'
md had translated ST. Chrysosom into Latin, the ex-
nminers made haste 10 correct their error do not
know how many clever and wel-informed candl'
dates for the Ministry could now pass an eXamna-
fjon in Murray's Grammar but not many years since,
Cobbett fell afoul of number of distinguished llv-
ing Englishmen, and demonstrated III his usual
slashng way that though the Duke OF Wellington
might be a good soldier. he was exceedingly loose
In his syntax 1t was long ago observed that gram
NAUTICAL professors are unpleasanly pugnacious In
1921 when the war In the Palatinate threatened
the ruin of both the universities and the con bus
ton of all the libraries John Guiterus and Philip
Pareus improved the opportunity to engage IN
fierce grammatical controversy, each bestowlng
upon the other the title of ass. mule boar ram,
goat and hog, The grammarian of whom we have
present 10 speak man OF peace. and, In TACT a
Quaker. My cider readers who muddled themselves
over bis book those dreary days of school-going
which it Is customary TO speak of as delightful,
NAV not remember Lindley Murray with feelings of
Christian gratitude They may have forgotten his
rules which they learned by rOte without in the
least understanding them; they have not for
gotten the lodgings with which his name is asso-
caed but they ought really to be grateful to him,
for he was the first to simplify and methOdlze
branch OF knowledge which, whether useful or not.
children were then obliged to study We recall
those shabby little books. dogs's-eaTed and wet
with our young tears. which we once thumbed
into rags as we struggled with irregular verbs ard
grew hot over the parts of speech; and we do not
recall them with much satisfaction. But we have
our revenge Murray is not very respectfully
treated by modern writers upon grammar; yet
they are no harder upon him than they are upon
each other Murray lived to see seventy editions
of his Grammar issued and he did not live to hear
his authority doubted. He died in the full conSC
tion that he had fixed the science of the English
language upon an adamantine basis, and no suspi-
cion of the impossibility of dong such service
disturbed his old age. He did not toresee q.
Washington Moon and the indignities to which
his manual has been subjected never las the
Quakers say borne in upon his mind"
Murray wrote his autobiography in the form of
letters to friend Elizabeth Frank in 1909. He
lived until 1876 but his last years, passed by him
In "A valetudinaTian condition. were not marked by
any events of special interest. He says that he
wrote his own lite with great reluctance ami only
because he was repeatedly and urgently requested
to do 1T. lie born IN the year l7i5 at Swetara,
near Lancaster, in the State Of Pennsylvania, of
Quaker parentage. His father merchant,
and as Quaker merchants apt t. be, successful
Murray was the eldest Of twelve children. He
speaks with particular affection of his mother. Till
he was about half "a year Old lac was Almost perpetu-
ally crying; and his cOuntenance gave no lDdica-
tion OF intelligence. Atterward his health gradu
ally improved, and his strength spirits and activity
exceeded his age. He admits that hc a most
, mischievous child, and played many tricks which
did denote the best disposition and gave a
wrong bias to his vivacity" When years old
he was sent 10 a school in Philadelphia. where he
took kindly and naturally to the business of pars
ing sentences" The family removed to York
In 1888 and Murray after some further attendance
at school, placed in lis fathers counting-rOOm,
although he A" wished to be anything rather than
merchant" His father took good way of arOus-
ing commercial passion in his young bosom. He
presented HIM with considerable number Of silver |
watches which he to dispose OF Tor MS own |
benefit The spirit of trading took hold of him. and
he contemplated with pleasure the future en-
largement of his funds" In short he entered into
business with ardor and satisfaction but having !
been severely Ogged for some misdemeanOr, ike a |
lad of spirit, he abscOnded, being determined to |
seek an asylum distant country. He took his !
books and all bis properly with him. and went to |
Burlington. where he had heard That there was an
excellent seminary. This rather enterprisng
for "a lad only fourteen years OF age. The pleasure
OF study and the glow of fine Imagination bright
ened the scenes around him. Ultimately the fugi-
tive returned to New-York was received and for
given, and probably was logged lie
studied again under private tutor. but he admits
that his attachments were very limited, and that
his stock of knowledge has always been far from
extensive"
Alter some time and some exercise in debating
society, it was determined that young Murray |
should study law: and he accordingly placed
in the office of Benjamin Nissan, of emincnce
and integrity in his profession. Yet Murray did
not find this pursuit always pleasant THE
study of the law" he says, contains many barren
and uninvlting tracks, and extensive fields Of abo-
rious employment. 1t abounds with diScCrdant
views. with intricate and perplexing discussions,
and requires much deep and patient Investigation"
Murray mentions that John Jay was his fellow
student for about two years. even then giving in
dications of future distinction. He speaks Of Jay
rather patTOnizlngly as d" a meritOrious person"
Considering Jays name In American history. this
strikes rather drOl Murray was called to
the Bar aud secured good practice.
Would the reader like to peruse the story of
Quaker love, courtship and InarriageR Murray
tells his with agreeable sIm plcity follows.
Before l entered into business, and about the
twentieth year of my age, cOncei ed "a strong at
tachment and affection for young woman of per.
sonal attractions good sense, most amable dispO-
stion and of most worthy and respectable family.
1t was not long before perceived that my regard
met with favorable reception. Time and opDor-
tunity of knowing each other confirmed our attach
ment. and after two years acquaintance we had
the satisfaction of being united in the tender bonds
OF marriage The wife Of Murray's youth was the
wife of his old age, and he speaks OF her Ininistra-
tons and care through all the years Of his illness