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



accuracy in conversation.— I am, with much obligation for your good offices in 

 this business, dear sir, your most affectionate humble servant, 



" Adam Ferguson."* 



This singular dispute about a matter of fact is only interesting from the emi- 

 nence of the persons engaged in it ; at the same time, the question of the genuine- 

 ness of the Ossianic Poems given to the world by M'Pherson, is still an interest- 

 ing subject of inquiry. 



The advertisement of Dr Percy, followed by a further statement of Ferguson, 

 duly appeared in the public prints, after which the subject dropped, f 



There can be no doubt that Blair, when writing his elegant dissertation on 

 the Ossianic poetry, was an enthusiastic believer in the genuineness of these 

 poems, and that the recitation of Gaelic poetry had taken place at his instigation. 

 On the occasion of this correspondence, he seems to have shown a forgetfulness, 

 or possibly a fear of admitting any statements tending to compromise his opinions, 

 which caused some annoyance both to Dr Percy and Ferguson. 



From the letters above given, we learn that Ferguson was a supporter of the 

 genuineness of the Ossianic Poems, as he states that he " never questioned the 

 fidelity of Mr James M'Pherson in his publications." | A correspondence with 

 M'Pherson relative to the publication of the original Gaelic of Ossian will be 

 subsequently referred to. 



In 1782, Ferguson entered warmly into the scheme proposed by Principal 

 Robertson to institute in Edinburgh a society, similar to the foreign Academies, 

 for the cultivation of every branch of science and literature. The immediate 

 cause of this proposal was the application of the Society of Antiquaries to be in- 

 corporated by Royal Charter. § 



The Senatus Academicus drew up a memorial to Government, proposing that, 

 " instead of granting a charter to the Scots Antiquaries as a separate society, a 

 society shall be established by a charter upon a more extensive plan, which may 

 be denominated ' The Royal Society of Scotland,' and shall have for its object all 

 the various departments of science, erudition, and belles lettres. That a certain 

 number of persons, respectable for their rank, their standing, or their knowledge, 

 shall be named by the Royal Charter, with powers to choose the original members 

 of the Society, and to frame regulations for conducting their inquiries and pro- 

 ceedings, and for the future election of members." || 



* MSS. University of Edinburgh. 



f See Shaw's ' Inquiry' for Ferguson's vindication, Appendix, p. 82. 



I See his letter to Mr M'Kenzie, Secretary of the Highland Society, in that Society's Report on 

 the Poems of Ossian, Appendix, p 62. 



§ Smellle's Account of the Antiquarian Society of Edinburgh, p. 12. 



II It was due to the persevering efforts of Principal Robertson that the Royal Society was 

 instituted. After memorialising Government, about the end of the year 1782, to the effect above 

 stated, the Records of the University bear that the Principal, on the 10th of February 1783, informed 

 the Senatus Academicus, " that the Lord Advocate and Mr Hunter Blair had desired him to acquaint 



