FERGUSON (ADAM, LL. D.), a distinguished Philosopher and Historian, was born at Logierait, in the Highlands of Perthshire, on the 20th of June 1723. His father, the Reverend Adam Ferguson,•a native of the neighbouring parish of Moulin, had been minister of Crathie and Braemar, -in Aberdeenshire, from 1700 to 1714; and, the-ensuing Re bellion, had been translated to Logierait, w here he pass ed the remainder of his long life, discharging the duties of his laborious charge with such exemplary piety, fi delity, and firmness, that, though at the period of his induction, the parishioners were almost universally hostile to presbyterian principles, he speedily secured the respect and admiration of all ranks; and, till the close of his incumbency, in 1754, retained a degree of influence which proved that his knowledge of man kind, was not inferior to his zeal for their religious improvement. This excellent man left a numerous family, of whom Adam was his youngest son, -by Mary Gordon, daughter of Mr. Gordon of Hallhead, -in Aberdeenshire.
'It is believed that Adam received the first part of his education at the village school of his native parish, under the superintendence of Mr John Connacher, of whose literary attainments little can now,be ascertain ed, though some of his pupils are still alive. Whatever might be the merits of this teacher, they do not seem to have been estimated so highly as those of the schoolmaster of Dunkeld and Perth; to one or other of which places it -was at this time customary for the parishioners of Logierait to send such of their sons as they wished to prepare for a course of academical study. Two, at least, of Mr Frguson's younger sons attended the grammar-school of Perth, between the years 1732 and 1738, while Mr James Martin was ,Rector, and Mr Andrew Cornfute one of the assistants. Under the tuition of these able and diligent instruc tors, Adam is said to have made uncommon progress in classical literature; and, in addition to the benefit which he derived from his teachers, he possessed the advantage of living under the protection of a respec table citizen, William Ferguson, his relative, a mer chant in the town, and at one time chief-magistrate.
Towards the end of autumn 1738, when he had en tered into his sixteenth year, he was removed from school to the University of St. Andrews, where his fa
ther had commenced his studies fifty years before, un der a very meritorious Regent, Mr John Row, son of the minister of Ceres; who, being grandson of the well-known David Ferguson, minister of Dunferm line, was induced, by the claims of kindred, as well as a duty, to ply particular nitcntiun w the Improve ment of a youth whom he soon discovered to be high Ly deserving of his favour. It is so happened, that one of the colleagues of Mr Row was still a master of St Leonard's College, and that all the other masters , were of nearly the same standing with the elder Mr Ferguson, who was thus confirmed in his preference of the college in which he had prosecuted his own phi losophical studies. At this very juncture, the Principal of St Leonard's College died, and the other Professors, at whose almost unanimous recommendation, Mr Tul lideph was appointed to the vacant chair, anticipated the most prosperous results from his efforts to promote the good of an establishment which they considered as baying fallen into disrepute, in consequence of the fee ble and undignified administration of his predecessors.
The Greek class in St Leonard's College, was at this time taught with great reputation by Mr Francis Pringle, who had obtained his office in 1699; but, though no other teacher of that language in Scotland could pretend to rival him, the average number of students who were received annually under his charge, from 1738 to 1747, was not more than eleven; while the average of entries to the corresponding class in St Salvator's College scarcely amounted to six. Adam Ferguson was enrolled in Mr Pringle's class as a ter mer, the same rank of students which, in the days of Buchanan, was characterized by the term pauper; that is to say, one who pays the lowestrate of fees. been alleged that Ferguson, after a comparative trial, was admitted one of the foundation bursars, having stood first in the list of successful competitors. If it were so, the victory was not very splendid, as, of the twelve who entered the class along with him, not more than eight (being of the denomination of ternars) could have been permitted to take a share of the contest.