MR SMALL S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PROF. ADAM FERGUSON. 661 



but he tells me that his mind is made up to draw it on a great scale, and on as 

 perfect a plan as possible ; and that he never started at any difficulty that could 

 be surmounted, ever since he collected, as far back as the year 1780, one thousand 

 and two hundred men, and in one day's time made a road of six miles long over 

 a mountain, till then thought impassable. The fact is, that he has got an in- 

 stinct to be doing, which other people ought to know how to employ without 

 turning him out of place. Although I have so many excuses for writing so 

 seldom, I am not willing to allow you any ; so I pray, when you are writing how- 

 ever, let there be a scrap for me, even if you should not be able to tell me what 

 is become of Buonapakte. By the by, is that a genuine Prussian paper in 

 answer to the French demands, which we have in the newspapers ? It is menacing, 

 and I do not see how the great nation can give way to it, without appearing to be 

 cowed. They certainly meant to gall us, and to secure the co-operation of 

 Prussia against us, by transferring Hanover, &c. &c. — Yours most affectionately, 



" Adam Ferguson."* 



The following letter, also addressed to Sir John M'Pherson, concerning the 

 purchase of an estate in Peeblesshire for a ward of Sir John's, contains an allu- 

 sion to Allan Ramsay and the Edinburgh writers: — 



" Ilallyards, \st August, 1798. 

 "My Dear Friend, — To begin where your letter ends amicus amicissimus 

 indefatigaUlis. After having splashed you before with bad Greek, you are well 

 off that there is nothing more now than bad Latin. I do recollect hearing of S. 

 J. E.'s desire to have some land property near his native spot, but at present knoAv 

 nothing more, nor do I know of any fit place at Peebles for your ward, but shall 

 inquire. There is no property in this country you know without a doer, as Allan 

 Ramsay used to call the writers when he was angry with them, which he was, 

 indeed, for the greatest part of every hour of his life. If there be any subject on 

 which to make us your doer, we shall not neglect to do what is proper ; and for 

 the sequel, if there be any sequel, it must come as God will have it in the whims 

 and inclinations of those concerned. As to the world, I am glad you think 

 BuoNAPARTfi is gone upon a mere trading or plundering voyage. In that way he 

 cannot be long without having the seas disputed with him, and I patiently wait 

 for the consequence, without supposing that every encounter of ours must be 

 veni, vidi, vici, for even the great Julius was a puppy at a time, and more so than 

 has yet appeared of Buonapart£. A combination of Europe, including Russia, 

 if not properly directed would do us no good. You may possibly remember my 

 bull, that the proper way to make war on the great nation is to make peace 

 with them. In this they are too wise to be caught, I mean their directors ; but 

 I think we may make a war as like peace as possible, especially if Europe com- 



* MSS. University of Edinburgh. 



