122 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



knowledge of art and for the original genius which he has applied to 

 the solution of some of its most difficult problems." He studied the 

 manner in which the Parthenon (and presumably other ancient tem- 

 ples) was lighted, and came out with a conclusion different from any 

 which had been currently held before. It had been supposed that 

 the lighting of the building was hypaDthral that is, through an 

 opening in the roof ; Dr. Fergusson maintained that the light was 

 admitted through side-openings, like the clearstory of a cathedral, 

 while the sun and rain were excluded ; and the last work he pub- 

 lished "the Parthenon" presented the considerations in favor of 

 this view. 



From 1863 to 1866, Mr. Fergusson was, with the exception of the 

 year 1872, a member of the Council of the Royal Geographical Soci- 

 ety. When filling this office, says Major-General Sir Frederick Gold- 

 smid, his advice and assistance, always tendered with readiness, were 

 of a most useful and practical kind, whether in advancement of the sci- 

 ence to which the society was dedicated, or in minor details connected 

 with the buildings in which its deliberations were held. In this soci- 

 ety he was more frequently heard in participation in the discussions 

 than in the reading of papers ; but one of his papers, " On the Delta 

 of the Ganges and the Natural Law regulating the Course of Riv- 

 ers," was pronounced a most original and valuable contribution to 

 science. 



He bestowed much attention on military engineering and fortifica- 

 tion. He set forth as early as 1849, in his " New System of Fortifica- 

 tion," the advantages of earthworks as defenses against artillery, which 

 have since been conclusively proved many times in real battle. He 

 was appointed, in 1857, a member of the Royal Commission to inquire 

 into the defenses of the United Kingdom ; and he afterward served 

 for eight months, or till the retirement of his chief, as assistant to Sir 

 Henry Layard, Chief Commissioner of Public "Works. 



Regarding the value of Dr. Fergusson's work, we have the carefully 

 measured estimate in the "Athenseum," that " his acute analysis and 

 criticism, always intended to illustrate the perfection of common sense, 

 did not invariably carry conviction ; . . . yet his clear, laborious, and 

 searching methods commanded attention, and never failed to gain re- 

 spect. Those who could not agree with his views upon the beauty and 

 festhetic value of Indian architecture, nor accept his version of the 

 history of the holy places at Jerusalem, acknowledged the authority 

 of his masterly and careful studies of whatever kind." 



