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PREFACE.

IN the summer of 1827 the Editor of this Memoir purchased, at a book-stall in Edinburgh, a copy of Ferguson's "Select Mechanical Exercises;" and at this distance of time is still retained a vivid recollection of the pleasure experienced in the perusal of the "Short Account of the Author" prefixed to the volume, and also of the disappointment felt at its coming so abruptly to a close. Ferguson, in his preliminary remarks, promises to give the reader "a faithful and circumstantial detail of his whole proceedings from his first. obscure beginning to the present time,"-viz. from 1710—the year of his birth-till 1773, the year in which the "Account" was written. It occupies 43 pages, 36 of which refer to the details of his life in Scotland, while only 7 pages are devoted to his life in England; the latter extending over a space of 30 years, of which next to nothing is there related.

To supply, if possible, more ample information regarding Ferguson, the writer began so early as the year 1829 to collect, from all available sources, as opportunity offered, whatever particulars could be found and were not generally known. In an examination lately made, with a view to publication, of correspondence, memoranda and notes, these were found to form a heterogeneous collection, comprising much interesting matter little known, as well as certain particulars apparently of trivial importance, but which, as these also indicated Ferguson's pursuits at the time, have been retained.

With respect to arrangement, it was seen that if the autobiographical, or "Short Account of the Author," was to be republished, a departure from the usual biographical method should be adopted: that the proper arrangement would then

be to reprint the "Short Account," and throw all the materials at command into annalistic sections, which has this advantage, -it exhibits, in unbroken succession, year after year, the events of his life, as far as these have been ascertained. In accordance with this plan, the reader will find Ferguson's autobiographical Memoir, illustrated with engravings and explanatory notes, forms the first part of the work. This part begins with 1710, and although written in 1773, may be said to terminate in 1748, as so little of himself is related in it subsequent to this

year.

The second part, or "Extended Memoir," begins with 1743, the in which he went to London: here it was necessary to year go back a little way into his autobiography, to notice and supply omitted incidents from that year till 1773, when his Memoir was concluded, in order that the autobiography and the Extended Memoir should be duly connected. This portion, commencing with 1743 and ending with 1776-the year of Ferguson's death-is chiefly compiled from his own works;— the engravings and descriptions in which of his apparatus and curious mechanical inventions are reproduced, explained, and illustrated-from manuscript letters and philosophical papers and drawings extant; from his lately discovered Common Place Book; from reviews and notices of his publications and inventions;-found in the Records of the Royal Society, and in the magazines and newspapers of the last century—and lastly, from materials collected by the Editor during a period of thirty-six

years.

The Editor's correspondents have been numerous; the names of many of them are given in the notes, and he avails himself of this opportunity to offer to such of each and to all as are still alive his grateful thanks. He now closes his labours, and will feel much gratified if the work receives the approbation of the public.

ASTRAL VILLA,

MUCKHART, August, 1867.

(Perthshire.)

CONTENTS.

PART I. FERGUSON'S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR, FROM
MECHANICAL EXERCISES, 1710 TO 1773.

66 SELECT

1717.-His father agreeably surprised to find that his son was able to read;
Three months at the Grammar School, Keith (1717-1719); Taste for
Mechanics; Odd Accident; Raising of the Roof of his Father's Cottage; Made
Models of Levers, Pulleys, Wheel and Axle, &c.,
7-10

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1724. In the Service of James Glashan; Takes the Apparent Relative Distances
of the Stars by means of a Thread and Beads, (in a field, lying on his back);
Glashan does Ferguson's flail-work, to allow him leisure in the daytime to
make correct copies of his star projections in the night,

12-15

1728. In the Service of Squire Grant at Achoynaney; Cantley's Accomplish-
ments-"God Almighty's Scholar;" Cantley teaches Ferguson Decimal
Arithmetic, Algebra, and the Elements of Geometry,

18-20

1753—1756.—Eclipsareon and Universal Dialling Cylinder (see pp. 179–184,
and pp. 325-330).

1773. Thirty years in London: Universal respect for Ferguson; Royal Pension
(see pp. 249-263).

PART II.-EXTENDED MEMOIR, 1743 TO 1776.

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