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FERGUSON FERISHTAH Harvest Moon," and afterward lectured in many places on experimental philosophy and astronomy. George III. settled on him a pen- sion of 50. His latter years were mostly de- voted to the delivery of his lectures, which had become very popular. The most important of his works are: "Astronomy Explained on Sir Isaac Newton's Principles " (4to, London, 1756); "Lectures on Mechanics," &c. (8vo, 1764) ; " An Easy Introduction to Astronomy " (1769) ; " An Introduction to Electricity " (1770); and "Art of Drawing in Perspective" (1775). Sir David Brewster published cor- rected editions of his "Lectures" and "As- tronomy " in 1805 and 1811. FERGUSON, Robert, an English physician, born in India in 1799, died June 25, 1865. He studied medicine at the universities of Heidel- berg and Edinburgh, took the degree of M. D. in 1825, and settled in London, where he rap- idly acquired a large and lucrative practice. He became physician to the general lying-in hospital, professor of midwifery at King's col- lege, and physician-accoucheur to King's col- lege hospital. He was also physician extraor- dinary to the queen, whom he attended in all her confinements. His chief publications are an " Essay on Puerperal Fever " and an edi- tion of Gooch's works. FERGUSSON, James, a British writer on archi- tecture, born at Ayr, Scotland, 'in 1808. He was educated at the high school of Edinburgh, and after several years' experience in a count- ing house in Holland and England, went in 1829 to India, where for ten years he was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. Returning to England, he devoted himself to art and litera- ture. During his residence in India he had taken great interest in the ancient architectu- ral remains, and among the fruits of his ob- servations was a description of the rock-cut temples with illustrations by himself (1845), and "Picturesque Illustrations of Ancient Architecture in Hindostan " (1847 -'8). In 1847 he published "Ancient Topography of Jerusalem," in which he undertook to show that the building known as the mosque of Omar is the church of the Holy Sepulchre. In 1849 appeared the first volume of his "His- torical Inquiry into the True Principles of Beauty in Art, more especially with reference to Architecture," which was succeeded by the " Illustrated Handbook of Architecture " (1855), in the preparation of which he used the materials already collected for the succeed- ing volumes of the former work. In these works he gives a complete survey of the archi- tectural monuments of the chief nations of ancient and modern times, and offers many suggestions of great practical value. His " Palaces of Nineveh and Persepolis Restored " (1851), published while Mr. Layard's excava- tions were proceeding, exhibits a profound knowledge of the architecture of the Assyrians and Persians ; and upon the subsequent estab- lishment of the crystal palace at Sydenham, j of which he was the general manager for some time after its opening, he personally superin- tended the arrangement of the Nineveh court. His attention had been drawn in India to the use and application of earthworks in modern fortifications, and he proposed the substitution of circular forms for angles and bastions, and of earthworks for masonry. On this subject he published " The Peril of Portsmouth " and "Portsmouth Protected," and "Essay on a proposed New System of Fortification " (1849). His system was put in practice in the Russian defence of Sebastopol, and frequently employed in the civil war in the United States. In 1859 he became one of the royal commissioners for the defences of the United Kingdom. In 1871 he received the royal gold medal of the insti- tute of British architects. Besides the works mentioned, he has published "A History of Architecture in all Countries," a reconstruction of his "Handbook" (3 vols., 1862-'7), "Rude Stone Monuments of all Ages " (1872), and " Tree and Serpent Worship " (new ed., 1874). FERGUSSON, Sir William, a Scottish surgeon, born at Prestonpans, East Lothian, March 20, 1808. He early became confidential assistant to the celebrated anatomists Dr. Knox and John Turner, and in 1828 licentiate of the col- lege of surgeons. He began to lecture on surgery in 1831, and in 1840 was called to London as professor of surgery in 'King's col- lege. He was surgeon in ordinary to the prince consort Albert, and was created a baronet in 1865. He was elected president of the roy- al college of surgeons July 11, 1870. Besides special papers on cleft palate, lithotomy, litho- trity, aneurism, and others, he has published "A System of Practical Surgery" (London, 1848), and " Progress of Anatomy and Surgery in the 19th Century" (1867). He is also the inventor of numerous surgical instruments. FERISHTAH, Mohammed Kasim, a Persian his- torian, born in Astrabad about 1560, died prob- ably about 1611. His father left his native country to travel in India, where he settled in the Deccan as instructor to the son of one of the reigning princes. The young Ferish- tah was advanced to honors at court, but subsequently, induced by civil' commotions and changes of government, repaired to the court of Ibrahim Adil Shah in Bejapore, where he passed the remainder of his life, and wrote his history of India. This work, which was first published in 1606, is one of the most authorita- tive oriental histories ; it contains all the facts which the author deemed worthy to extract from more than 30 older histories, and is still in India the most popular history of the coun- try. The introduction gives a brief account of India prior to the Mohammedan conquest, and then follows in 12 books a history of the kings of the different provinces, and of the European settlers. At the conclusion there is a short account of the geography, climate, and other physical circumstances of the country. It was several times partially translated into