616 MR small's biographical sketch of prof. ADAM FERGUSON. 



ment with Lord Chesterfield, Ferguson prepared for his travels on the Con- 

 tinent. He accordingly, in February 1774, wrote to the Town-Council, as Patrons 

 of the University, requesting permission to name persons to teach his Classes 

 during the remainder of the session, viz. Dr James Lind, for the Natural Philosophy 

 Class,* and Professor Bruce for that of Moral Philosophy. The Council, however, 

 refused to consent to this arrangement, and ordered that Ferguson should teach 

 in person during the remainder of the session. * 



Notwithstanding the refusal of the Town Council, Ferguson joined his pupil 

 in London at the close of that winter session of the University, in the belief that 

 the Provost and the greater part of the Council would be disposed to sanction his 

 absence for the subsequent session. 



When that session, however, commenced in the following October, the Council 

 appointed Professor Bruce to conduct the class of Moral Philosopy, and took 

 steps to punish the contumacy of his colleague. Accordingly, in April 1775, they 

 passed the following act : — " The Council, considering that upon the IGth of 

 February 1774, they had refused an application of Mr Adam Ferguson, Professor 

 of Pneumatics and Moral Philosophy in this city's University, where he requested 

 that he might be allowed to substitute proper persons in what remained of his 

 business in the College that winter ; and also considering, that notwithstanding 

 thereof he has deserted his office, and come under engagements incompatible 

 with his discharging the duties thereof; and the act of the 23d of May 1764, 

 electing Mr Adam Ferguson into the said office being read, the Council did, and 

 hereby do, rescind the said act of Council, with all that has followed thereupon, 

 and declared the said office of Professor of Pneumatics and Moral Philosophy in 

 the University of this city vacant.'"! 



Whatever may now be thought of the propriety of this step of Ferguson, still 

 it had not been without precedent in the history of the University. His friends 

 in the Senatus Academicus gave him their support, and he took measures to 

 vindicate his conduct, and to stay the somewhat arbitrary proceedings of the 

 Town Council. The following notes for his defence, drawn up by his friend 

 Dr Blair, are interesting, as showing his warm sympathy with his colleague : — 



" Mr Ferguson, on his going away, engaged one of his colleagues, Mr Bruce 

 lately elected Professor of Logic, to supply his place in teaching this winter. 



" He wrote a letter to the Town Council, begging leave of absence for one 

 season, and proposing Mr Bruce to be allowed by the Council to teach in his 

 place. This letter, indeed, was not delivered ; because the member of Council to 

 whom it was addressed, upon its being mentioned to him, advised, as more for 

 Mr Ferguson's interest, that it should not be presented. 



* On the death of his relation Mr Russell, Ferguson had undertaken the additional duty of 

 teaching the Natural Philosophy class during sessions 1773, and 1774. 

 •j- Dalzel's Hist, of the University of Edin., vol. ii. p. 445. 



