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xxxviii his speculative ardour seemed to be leading him towards a principle of even higher abstraction than that of the 'Institutes.' The author at this time most congenial to his mode of thought was Hegel. He studied Hegel for certainly more than the last ten years of his life, without, as he himself used freely to acknowledge to the end, completely satisfying himself that he had mastered the Hegelian conception,—a fact worthy of note by the fluent praters about Hegel in these times. It was obvious, however, from his conversation, that during these latter years his thoughts were a good deal directed to the realisation of glimpses of this conception, and to its application in various ways. I doubt whether he had in this line reached a point that was entirely satisfactory to his own mind. His speculative efforts were, I suspect, purely tentative.

"As a Professor, he was equalled in power and influence by few who have occupied university chairs. He made men thinkers,—not, however, by any routine of drill or discipline, but by his hold of his subject, the wonderful clearness and force of his prelections, and the outflowing of his personality into all that he said and did. The respect, affection, and obedience of his class were given to him spontaneously as a tribute of loyalty to the man.

"Ferrier's was altogether a strong nature, one in which were blended high and rare qualities, yet harmoniously vigorous. To force of intellect there were added depth of feeling and strength of will;