MR small's biographical SKETCH OF PROF. ADAM FERGUSON. 601 



wards became merged in the Speculative Society, which still exists in unimpaired 

 eflBciency. 



Ferguson, while not neglecting the study of divinity, applied himself less to 

 it than to those subjects of philosophy for which he showed special aptitude, and 

 in which he was afterwards to become so celebrated. In 1745, when he had 

 attended divinity classes for two only, out of the full period of six, years — the 

 time then required before obtaining license to preach— he was offered the ap- 

 pointment of deputy chaplain to the 42d regiment, or " Black Watch," by Mr 

 Murray (brother of Lord Elibank), who was principal chaplain. For this appoint- 

 ment his knowledge of the Gaelic language was an important qualification. The 

 rules of the Church allowed Gaelic students to be taken on trials after four years' 

 attendance at the Divinity Hall ; but it was necessary, in Ferguson's case, to 

 obtain from the General Assembly a still farther dispensation. The Assembly, 

 in consideration of his good character and high testimonials, granted special 

 authority for his ordination, and he was ordained by the Presbytery of Dunkeld 

 on the 2d of July 1745. A few days after this he joined his regiment, then 

 serving in Flanders ; and in a short time he obtained, on the retirement of Mr 

 Murray, the rank of principal chaplain. 



We are informed by Dr Carlyle, that it was through the influence of the 

 Duchess Dowager of A thole that Ferguson obtained his appointment as chap- 

 lain to the 42d Regiment. " Her son, Lord John Murray,* had obtained the 

 colonelcy of that regiment when he was not more than twenty- two years of age ; 

 and the Duchess had imposed the very difficult task upon Ferguson, to be a kind 

 of tutor or guardian to Lord John, — that is to say, to gain his confidence, and 

 keep him in peace with his officers, w^hich it was difficult to do. This, however, 

 he actually accomplished, by adding all the decorum belonging to the clerical 

 character to the manners of a gentleman ; the effect of which was, that he was 

 highly respected by all the officers, and adored by his countrymen, the common 

 soldiers." 



Shortly after Ferguson joined his regiment, the battle of Fontenoy took place, 

 in which he behaved with the greatest bravery. In that battle, according to the 

 account of the French themselves, " the Highland furies rushed in upon them 

 with more violence than ever did a sea driven by a tempest." Ferguson went 

 into action at the head of the attacking column, with a drawn broad-sword in his 

 hand, and could with difficulty be persuaded to retire to the rear.f Colonel 

 David Stewart, author of the " History of the Highlanders," remarks, that he 

 continued with his regiment during the whole of the action, in the hottest of the 



* Lord John Murray — son of John Duke of Athole by his second marriage — was appointed 

 colonel of the Royal Highlanders on April 25, 1745 ; major-general in 1753 ; lieut.-general in 

 1754; and general in 1770. 



f Sir W. Scott's Miscellaneous Prose Works, vol. xix. p. 331. 



