A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ROBERT FERGUSSON. THE errors of genius have often afforded melancholy occasion for the triumphs of prudent stupidity; and sometimes they have produced an affectation of folly and vice, as the appropriate marks of mental brightness. Eccentricity, and dissipated habits of life, it must be confessed, have been the frequent concomitants of high intellectual endowments; but they are to be viewed as the mere contingent blemishes, not as the inseparable associates of genius. "Angels are bright still, tho' the brightest fell : Vice and profligacy, in the conduct of the dull and illiterate, pass without observation, because the beings in whom these deformities are to be found, grovel in the shades of life, without exciting interest, or arresting attention. It must not, however, be supposed, that stupidity, or mediocrity of talent, exempt a man from the follies and crimes incident to humanity; while, at the same time, there cannot be a more fatal error than that which sanctifies imprudence, and neglect of the more rigid duties of life, by representing such conduct as the aberrations of a generous spirit. Perhaps it is possible to derive useful instruction from exhibiting man as he is always to be found an imperfect being: perhaps it is possible to trace the steps of intellectual pre-eminence through a career of imprudence, without that imprudence being permitted to assume the form and complexion of excellence. It is certainly not impossible to check the shallow pretensions of affectation, by showing, that the adventitious dross is not the precious jewelthat extravagance, thoughtlessness, and ardour of pursuit, are not the only constituents of mental superiority. For a moral picture of this kind, it is difficult, perhaps, to select a fitter subject than ROBERT FERGUSSON. His natural talents were of the highest order; his acquirements were considerable; and he lived in an age, when the possession of such qualities, if properly applied, could not have failed to promote his domestic and social comfort. Although, however, he was placed in these circumstances, he never reached the meridian of life. The short period of his existence was distinguished chiefly by its wretchedness; and its close was preceded by madness, the consummation of mortal calamity. Robert Fergusson was the son of William Fergusson and Elizabeth Forbes. Having served an apprenticeship to a merchant in Aberdeen, William Fergusson came to Edinburgh, in the year 1746, in search of employment. For a considerable time after he resided in Edinburgh, he was occupied as a clerk by people of different descriptions; but latterly he obtained a situation in one of the departments of an extensive mercantile institution * in which he continued to act as an accountant until the time of his death. He appears to have been an intelligent and respectable man. During the time that he had the management of the affairs of a company of Upholsterers in Edinburgh, he framed a very useful book of rates; and in the earlier part of his life, he indulged himself in the boyish weak *The British Linen Company. ness of writing verses. It is believed, however, that he relinquished this habit when the cares and the duties of manhood banished the daydreams of youth. He had two sons and two daughters*. Robert, the younger son, was born at Edinburgh, on the 5th of September 1750. During the years of his early infancy, his constitution was so extremely delicate, that his life was frequently despaired of. When six years of age, he was put to an English school, taught by a Mr Philp, in Niddry's Wynd. So considerable was his improvement under Mr Philp, that in half a year he was thought qualified to be initiated in the study of the Latin language, in which he was instructed by Mr Gilchrist, then one of the masters of the High-school. While in this * Barbara was married to Mr David Inverarity, cabinetmaker in Edinburgh. Her son, Mr James Inverarity, some years ago, wrote a spirited and elegant critique on Mr Irving's account of his uncle's life, and repelled, with becoming indignation, some very unwarrantable statements made by that gentleman. Margaret was married to Mr Duval, a purser in the Navy. She is an accomplished woman, and possesses a mind that stamps her a genuine relative of Fergusson. Harry, the elder brother, was a young man of considerable learning and ingenuity: he chose to atone for some juvenile indiscretions, by entering on board a ship of war and as his friends have not heard of him for many years, they have no reason to believe he is in life. |