from his decisions there was no appeal—only from Hugh Murray drunk to Hugh Murray sober We say that he was so self-adaptive to circumstances as to quickly become a Californian; but of a truth such men were California; they were one with the land, and sea, and sky of the California flush times; it was they, with other elements intermingled, who made the country what it was, and without all of which California would not have been California.
Murray was of the chivalrous school, genial, gentlemanly, with a host of friends, and many admirers. Like the epicurean Atticus, he was elegant in his tastes and easy in his morals; selfish he w^as, as most of us arc, but he was of the self-indulgent type rather than that which fosters unkindness or indifterence to others. He was a very able judge, and even when bought by one side, he could render a most plausible opinion. Like some others of his class, he carried with him a superstition which he called his honor, which led him into eccentricities past the comprehension of ordinary minds. For example, though he would gladly sell an opinion, he objected to giving the transaction that name, and the money must not be paid to him direct. Then again, after a debauch, he was particular about paying the gambler, but cared little for the claims of the liquor and cigar-seller, while the tailor and launder he would not insult by the offer of money. This disgraceful honor of his compelled him to pay the man who took from him his money giving him nothing in return, while to him who of his substance clothes and feeds him he may, if it pleases him, give nothing. But when honor compels a person who has received an injury to invite the one who gave it to shoot him, we must not expect to understand all its subtle ways, for undoubtedly the honor these gentlemen are so careful to humor must be a thing of importance.
A man of repartee was this chivalrous upright
