“Our old friends,” he said, “are dropping off so often that it becomes more and more pleasing to know that some still survive whom we esteem and by whom we are not forgotten....  Certainly we can look back on each other now for forty years, and I can do so as to you with great pleasure and satisfaction, when, besides the grounds of private satisfaction and esteem, I think of the many works of great benefit to society which you have been instrumental in publishing, and in some instances of suggesting and causing.  You have thus made your life serviceable to the world as well as honourable to yourself....  You are frequently in my recollections, and always with those feelings which accompanied our intercourse in our days of health and activity.  May every blessing accompany you and yours, both here and hereafter.”

It was not only in England that his loss was felt, for the news of his death called forth many tokens of respect and regard from beyond the seas, and we will close these remarks with two typical extracts from the letters of American correspondents.

To Mr. Murray’s son, Dr. Robinson of New York summed up his qualities in these words: 

“I have deeply sympathised with the bereaved family at the tidings of the decease of one of whom I have heard and read from childhood, and to whose kindness and friendship I had recently been myself so much indebted.  He has indeed left you a rich inheritance, not only by his successful example in business and a wide circle of friends, but also in that good name which is better than all riches.  He lived in a fortunate period—­his own name is inseparably connected with one of the brightest eras of English literature—­one, too, which, if not created, was yet developed and fostered by his unparalleled enterprise and princely liberality.  I counted it a high privilege to be connected with him as a publisher, and shall rejoice in continuing the connection with his son and successor.”

Mrs. L.H.  Sigourney wrote from Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.: 

“Your father’s death is a loss which is mourned on this side of the Atlantic.  His powerful agency on the patronage of a correct literature, which he was so well qualified to appreciate, has rendered him a benefactor in that realm of intellect which binds men together in all ages, however dissevered by political creed or local prejudice.  His urbanity to strangers is treasured with gratitude in many hearts.  To me his personal kindness was so great that I deeply regretted not having formed his acquaintance until just on the eve of my leaving London.  But his parting gifts are among the chief ornaments of my library, and his last letter, preserved as a sacred autograph, expresses the kindness of a friend of long standing, and promises another ‘more at length,’ which, unfortunately, I had never the happiness of receiving.”

THE END

INDEX