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  • Sept. 1, 1797
  • Page 15
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The Freemasons' Magazine, Sept. 1, 1797: Page 15

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    Article THE COLLECTOR. ← Page 4 of 6 →
Page 15

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Collector.

ROBERT FERGUSON . THIS man was a dissenting minister in the reign of James II . but possessing a great spirit for political intrigue at that turbulent period , he was always involved in some plot or other against the state , and thereby drew himself into perpetual danger . At one time a warrant was issued against himand to avoid being

, taken he fled to Edinburgh : when perceiving that he was pursued , and that the gates were shut to prevent his escape , instead of secreting himself either in a cellar or a garret , the expedients of grovelling deceit , he repaired to the common gaol , in which he knew an acquaintance of his to be confined : and thus by this superior stratagem of causing that place for his concealment and escapewhich others

, would imagine he ought to have avoided as that of discovery and imprisonment , he remained undiscovered , and escaped . The same Ferguson being on a similar occasion pursued , arrived in some town in which one of the inns was kept by the Mayor . As the fugitive knew that the pursuers mu ^ t apply to that magistrate for a search-warrant , that circumstance determined him on taking that inn for his

quarters . In conseqience of this design he orders a supper , and invites the company of Mr . Mayor and his lady . Whilst they were supping , a message arrives to desire a search-warrant for the apprehending one Ferguson . The magistrate being obliged to retire for this purpose , acquaints his guest \ vi : h the reason of it , and promises to return immediately . Ferguson expressing some concern for the deprivation of his company , adds , that he would converse with his lady till he had

the pleasure of his return . This being done , Mr . Mayor enters into conversation on the affair , and ardently wishes the criminal may be apprehended , without the least suspicion of his speaking to the very man . Ferguson , who knew that too much fervour in condemning frequently betrays the consciousness of guilt , and that an attempt to palliate the crime might create a suspicion , both of which are the errors of little cunning , commended the zeal of the magistrate with that discreet

coolness which generally accompanies'the character of moderation and honesty , and deviated imperceptibly into a conversation on other subjects . The evening being passed Ferguson retired to his bed . P ! e now conceived himself as freed from the danger of being apprehe . kk-d i . i the house ; but he was not equally persuaded of his passing through the town unexamined and securef .

In older to obviate this difficulty he "calls for his breakfast , and again desires the company of his Worship and his lady , which was accordingly complied with . On this occasion he affects a great liking to the magistrate , admires his good sense , and laments his being obliged to leave his house tnat day . However , if his Worship would honour him with his conipaiiy . to the next town , and spend the evening

with him , he should never I ' m get the obligation , and ihen he would tarry till after dinner : to which , at the same time , he invited the same company . This seeming politeness being well received , the request was granted . Dinner being finished , Ferguson , in company with the Mayor , not only passed through that town , but spent the evening in another , unsuspected ; and thereby escaped . .

“The Freemasons' Magazine: 1797-09-01, Page 15” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 1 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fmm/issues/fmm_01091797/page/15/.
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Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
Untitled Article 2
LONDON: Article 2
TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c. Article 3
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF MR. WILLIAM WHITE. Article 4
ADDENDA TO THE MEMOIR OF MR. THOMAS HULL, Article 5
ON THE PECULIAR EXCELLENCIES OF HANDEL'S MUSIC. Article 6
HISTORY OF THE SCIENCES FOR 1797. Article 7
CURSORY REMARKS ON SHAKSPEARE'S MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Article 10
THE COLLECTOR. Article 12
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PETER PORCUPINE; Article 18
A BRIEF SYSTEM OF CONCHOLOGY. Article 22
DESCRIPTION OF THE PEAK OF TENERIFFE. Article 26
ACCOUNT OF A REMARKABLE SLEEP-WALKER. Article 30
THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. Article 34
OPINIONS CONCERNING MASONRY. WITH THE CHARACTER OP A TRUE FREEMASON. Article 36
A CHARGE Article 37
A VINDICATION OF MASONRY. Article 40
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 41
GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND. Article 41
REVIEW OP NEW PUBLICATIONS. Article 42
POETRY. Article 50
REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. Article 54
HOUSE OF COMMONS. Article 57
MONTHLY CHRONICLE. Article 62
OBITUARY. Article 70
LIST OF BANKRUPTS. Article 73
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Page 15

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Collector.

ROBERT FERGUSON . THIS man was a dissenting minister in the reign of James II . but possessing a great spirit for political intrigue at that turbulent period , he was always involved in some plot or other against the state , and thereby drew himself into perpetual danger . At one time a warrant was issued against himand to avoid being

, taken he fled to Edinburgh : when perceiving that he was pursued , and that the gates were shut to prevent his escape , instead of secreting himself either in a cellar or a garret , the expedients of grovelling deceit , he repaired to the common gaol , in which he knew an acquaintance of his to be confined : and thus by this superior stratagem of causing that place for his concealment and escapewhich others

, would imagine he ought to have avoided as that of discovery and imprisonment , he remained undiscovered , and escaped . The same Ferguson being on a similar occasion pursued , arrived in some town in which one of the inns was kept by the Mayor . As the fugitive knew that the pursuers mu ^ t apply to that magistrate for a search-warrant , that circumstance determined him on taking that inn for his

quarters . In conseqience of this design he orders a supper , and invites the company of Mr . Mayor and his lady . Whilst they were supping , a message arrives to desire a search-warrant for the apprehending one Ferguson . The magistrate being obliged to retire for this purpose , acquaints his guest \ vi : h the reason of it , and promises to return immediately . Ferguson expressing some concern for the deprivation of his company , adds , that he would converse with his lady till he had

the pleasure of his return . This being done , Mr . Mayor enters into conversation on the affair , and ardently wishes the criminal may be apprehended , without the least suspicion of his speaking to the very man . Ferguson , who knew that too much fervour in condemning frequently betrays the consciousness of guilt , and that an attempt to palliate the crime might create a suspicion , both of which are the errors of little cunning , commended the zeal of the magistrate with that discreet

coolness which generally accompanies'the character of moderation and honesty , and deviated imperceptibly into a conversation on other subjects . The evening being passed Ferguson retired to his bed . P ! e now conceived himself as freed from the danger of being apprehe . kk-d i . i the house ; but he was not equally persuaded of his passing through the town unexamined and securef .

In older to obviate this difficulty he "calls for his breakfast , and again desires the company of his Worship and his lady , which was accordingly complied with . On this occasion he affects a great liking to the magistrate , admires his good sense , and laments his being obliged to leave his house tnat day . However , if his Worship would honour him with his conipaiiy . to the next town , and spend the evening

with him , he should never I ' m get the obligation , and ihen he would tarry till after dinner : to which , at the same time , he invited the same company . This seeming politeness being well received , the request was granted . Dinner being finished , Ferguson , in company with the Mayor , not only passed through that town , but spent the evening in another , unsuspected ; and thereby escaped . .

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