Ferguson, Robert.

with detailed but irregular entries, writing in intimate detail about his service for the royal family including Queen Victoria's concerns about her mental health during pregnancy ("...she thinks of worms eating her - and is weeping and wretched..."), royal arrangements for childbirth including a lengthy account of the birth of the Princess Royal, the health of the royal children, character sketches of members of the royal family and household, describing a trip to France in 1856 to treat Napoleon III for suspected poisoning, also with entries on many other professional and personal subjects from sickness in aristocratic and society households, to his conversations with public figures (recording, for example, J.G. Lockhart on literary subjects and the Duke of Wellington on the Great Exhibition), to his opinions on foreign affairs and political gossip from London's clubs, and moments of personal reflection such as upon the death of his first wife and meeting his second wife, 2 volumes, 4to, 291 pages, entries from 3 December 1841 to 10 May 1860 with significant periods with no entries (including July 1845 to April 1851, January 1852 to February 1855, and July 1856 to March 1858), marbled boards; together with an album containing 51 carte-de-visite albumen prints of eminent Victorians, many by J.J.E. Mayall; also with a letter by John Murray (iv) on the proposed publication of the journals loosely inserted, 3 pages, 5 August 1908; boards of journals scuffed



Robert Ferguson (1799-1865) was a leading obstetrician who was appointed physician-accoucheur to Queen Victoria in 1840 and attended the birth of all her children.

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."