JAMES, an eminent experimental philosopher and mechanic, was born in Scotland, of very poor parents. At an early age his extraordinary genius began to exert itself. He first learned to read by overhearing his father teach his elder brother; and he had made this acquisition before any one suspected it. He soon discovered a peculiar taste for mechanics, which first arose on seeing his father use a lever. He pursued this study a considerable length, even while very young; and made a watch in woodwork, from having once seen one. As he had no instructor, nor any help from books, everything he learned had all the merit of an original discovery; and such, with infinite joy, he believed it to be. As soon as his age would permit he went to service; in which he met with hardships which rendered his constitution feeble through life. Whilst he was servant to a farmer (whose goodness he acknowledges in the modest and humble account of himself which he prefixed to his last publication), he frequently contemplated the stars; and began the study of astronomy, by laying down, from his own observations only, a celestial globe. His kind master observing these marks of his ingenuity, procured him the countenance and assistance of his superiors. By their help and instructions, he went on gaining farther knowledge, and was sent to Edinburgh. There he began to take portraits; an employment by which he supported himself and family for several years, both in Scotland and England, whilst he was pursuing more serious studies. In London he first published some curious astronomical tables and calculations; and afterwards gave public lectures in experimental philosophy, which he repeated (by subscription) in most of the principal towns in England, with the highest marks of general approbation. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, without paying for admission (an honour scarcely ever conferred on a native); and had a pension of £50 per ann. given him, unsolicited, by our gracious king, at his accession, who had heard lectures from him, and frequently sent for and conversed with him on curious topics. He also received several presents from his majesty, the patron of real merit. To what degree of consideration Mr Ferguson mounted by the strength of his natural genius, almost everyone knows. He was universally considered as at the head of astronomy and mechanics in this nation of philosophers. And he might justly be called self-taught, or rather heaven-taught; for in his whole life he had not above half a year's instruction at school. He was a man of the clearest judgment and the most unwearied application to study; benevolent, meek, and innocent in his manners as a child; humble, courteous, and communicative; instead of pedantry, philosophy seemed to produce in him only diffidence and urbanity,—a love for mankind and for his Maker. His whole life was an example of resignation and Christian piety. He might be said to be an enthusiast in his love of God, if religion, founded on such substantial and enlightened grounds as his was, could be styled enthusiasm. He died in 1776.

Robert, a Scottish poet, who acquired a considerable share of celebrity at a very early period of life, was born at Edinburgh on the 5th of September 1752, of which we are assured from unquestionable authority, although some have placed it in 1751. His father's name was William, who, as well as the son, likewise paid court to the muses; but he wisely relinquished the study of poetry for the more certain emoluments of trade and commerce, being employed in different mercantile houses both in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. He was an accountant in the Linen Hall when he died, but never acquired anything like an independent fortune.

The subject of the present sketch was of a weak and delicate constitution during infancy,—indeed to such a degree, that small hopes were entertained of his ever reaching the years of manhood. Yet such were the care and attention of his parents, that he was able to attend an English school by the time he was six years of age, when his progress was considered as very extraordinary. It was no less rapid at the high school of Edinburgh, which he attended four years, acquiring a competent knowledge of the Latin tongue with very little labour or exertion. From that he went to the grammar school of Dundee, and in two years after to the university of St Andrews, which place his father preferred to Edinburgh, because a gentleman of the name of Ferguson had left two bursaries for the education of two boys of the same name. His health was never impaired at any time by severe study; yet he kept alive at the university the opinion which had been entertained of him while at school, and he was decidedly the first mathematician of the same standing. He was patronized by Dr Wilkie, professor of natural philosophy, who was perhaps as much attached to him for his poetical as his mathematical talents, the doctor himself being a poet, and author of the Epigoniad. This kindness was repaid by Ferguson, on the death of Dr Wilkie, by a beautiful elegy to his memory, written in the Scottish dialect. A little before he left the university, Ferguson had conceived the idea of writing a tragedy on the death of Sir William Wallace, for which he had collected materials; but as he afterwards met with a work on the same subject, he abandoned the design, after he had completed two acts. His own reason for doing so he thus expressed: "Whatever I publish shall be original, and this tragedy might be considered as a copy."

He returned to Edinburgh when he had finished his studies, without having fixed on any particular employment; for although he was destined for the church by his father, on his death he paid little attention to the expectations of his mother. He declined also the study of physic, affirming this as a reason, that when he read the description of diseases, he believed that he felt the symptoms of them all in himself. He was then induced to attempt the study of the law, in which, as was natural to expect, he made no proficiency. He seems to have turned a wishful eye to some fine place, to obtain which he paid a visit to an uncle who resided at Aberdeen, a man of literature and opulence, hoping that through his influence he might be settled in some place suited to his merit. In this rational hope he was completely disappointed; for although his uncle shewed him every mark of attachment, his fondness decayed by degrees, and in six months he desired him in an abrupt manner to leave his house, without attempting to procure for him any kind of living. It would perhaps be rash and uncandid to reprobate this conduct of his uncle, whose penetration probably beheld, if not the actual commission, at least the germinating seeds of these too fashionable vices and follies into which he afterwards plunged. We only give this as a conjecture of our own; but it seems to derive considerable countenance from the contrast between the manner in which his uncle received him, and the nature of their separation. Be this as it may, the conduct of his uncle operated powerfully on the mind of Ferguson, which, with the fatigue of his journey back to Edinburgh, brought on him a severe illness, on his recovery from which he composed two elegies; one on the decay of friendship, and the other against repining at fortune; both which were suggested by this adventure at Aberdeen. The disappointment of his hopes, and the effect it produced on his mind, are very evident from the following stanzas.

But, ah! these youthful sportive hours are fled, The scenes of jocund mirth are now no more; No healing slumber 'tide my humble bed, No friends console the sorrows of the poor.

And what avail the thoughts of former joy? What comfort bring they in the adverse hour? Can they the canker-worm of care destroy, Or brighten fortune's discontented lour?

So great were his necessities at this period, that he Ferguson copied papers in the commissary clerk's office for so much per sheet, which employment he soon left in disgust.

So boundless was his wit, which was only equalled by his good nature, modesty, and goodness of heart, that all who knew him received him with affection; but his powers of song and talents for mimicry often led him into the company of the dissipated, whose example could not fail of doing him essential injury, but who had neither the power nor inclination to provide for him through life. The irregularities into which he was thus frequently led, often awakened upon him the dictates of conscience; and the conversation of a minister who understood his manner of life, made a deep impression on his mind. In short, his remorse soon assumed the appearance of absolute despair. His sprightliness entirely forsook him: but he gradually recovered from his despondency, and his health was fully restored. Soon after he cut his head so dreadfully in consequence of a fall, that from the loss of blood he became delirious, in which condition he remained for some months, till the want of sleep and perpetual talking put a period to his existence on the 16th of October 1774. He was buried in the Canongate churchyard. Over his grave his admirer Robert Burns has since erected a monument.

Had he joined prudence to his bright genius and good heart, he would have no doubt risen to distinguished eminence in the literary world. His poems in the Scottish dialect have been universally admired by his countrymen; and when we reflect that they were composed in a round of dissipation, they must be considered as unequivocal evidences of his genius and taste.