In the summer of 1827 the Editor of this Memoir purchased, at a book-stall in Edinburgh, a copy of Ferguson's “Select Mechanical Exercises;” and at this distance of time is still retained a vivid recollection of the pleasure experienced in the perusal of the “Short Account of the Author” prefixed to the volume, and also of the disappointment felt at its coming so abruptly to a close. Ferguson, in his preliminary remarks, promises to give the reader “a faithful and circumstantial detail of his whole proceedings from his first obscure beginning to the present time,”—viz. from 1710—the year of his birth—till 1773, the year in which the “Account” was written. It occupies 43 pages, 36 of which refer to the details of his life in Scotland, while only 7 pages are devoted to his life in England; the latter extending over a space of 30 years, of which next to nothing is there related.

To supply, if possible, more ample information regarding Ferguson, the writer began so early as the year 1829 to collect, from all available sources, as opportunity offered, whatever particulars could be found and were not generally known. In an examination lately made, with a view to publication, of correspondence, memoranda and notes, these were found to form a heterogeneous collection, comprising much interesting matter little known, as well as certain particulars apparently of trivial importance, but which, as these also indicated Ferguson's pursuits at the time, have been retained.