1912-13.] Obituary Notices. 345 
he succeeded, by his resourcefulness and enthusiasm and skill as a teacher, 
in doing no little genuine and stimulating work in this then much-neglected 
branch of an all-round school curriculum. 
By a strange fatality this same little laboratory was, in the end of 1897, 
the scene of a sad accident by which Dr Ferguson was physically crippled 
for the rest of his days. An attendant’s blunder in connection with the 
use of oxy-hydrogen apparatus caused an explosion which dreadfully 
injured Dr Ferguson’s right foot; in spite of all surgical care, the mischief 
spread; and at last the leg had to be amputated at the knee-joint. It 
was specially sad that this accident should have happened just at the time 
when Dr Ferguson was concluding his arrangements for retiring from the 
Institution, and that it should have befallen one who was so fond of 
physical exercise. He had been accustomed to spend his autumn holidays, 
generally in company with his friend Mr Bickerton, in travelling, mostly 
on foot, through various countries in Europe ; he was fond of long rambles ; 
and he was keenly devoted to golf. But he bore what must have 
been to him such a sore deprivation bravely and uncomplainingly ; and, 
having handed over the Edinburgh Institution to his successor, he cheer- 
fully, and with unimpaired spirit and energy, resumed, as far as was now 
possible for him, his former pursuits and activities, and continued so work- 
ing until almost the very close of his long life of over eighty-three years. 
Dr Ferguson died in his own house in Edinburgh on the 31st of 
December 1912, leaving behind him the record of an honourable and 
honoured career of strenuous, able, and fruitful work for his day and 
generation. His loss was deeply mourned by all who knew him. He was 
a most attractive personality — frank, manly, keen and alert in intellect, 
cheery and buoyant in spirit, generous-hearted, and absolutely straight- 
forward. His well-furnished mind, broadened and quickened by wide 
reading and much travel, made him a delightful companion. He drew 
very close to him those who had the privilege of being his intimate friends, 
and he will long be fondly remembered by them. But his most fitting and 
most lasting memorial — that, too, which he himself would have most highly 
valued — will assuredly be the affectionate and grateful remembrance of their 
old teacher and true friend that will live so long in the minds and hearts 
of his many — so many — former pupils. 
