| Administrative History | Robert Arbuthnot [1728-1803] was a member of a distinguished Jacobite/ Episcopalian family. He was brought up and later owned Haddo-Rattray House, north of Peterhead. He was a merchant and then a banker in the firm of Arbuthnot and Guthrie, which failed in 1772. He then moved to Edinburgh where he bacame secretary of the Board for the Encouragement of Manufacturies and Fisheries in Scotland. He befriended Beattie after Beattie moved to Aberdeen in 1758, and became for some years his principal poetic adviser and promoter. He negotiated on Beattie's behalf and often in conjuction with Sir William Forbes, with the booksellers over several of the publications
Miss Bethune, cousin of Mrs Beattie, both being grand-daughters of Kenneth Bethune (or Beaton) of Leabost |
| Description | This comprises of two letters:
The first is addressed to Robert Arbutnhot from Miss Bethune:
As promised gives opinion of Mrs Beattie. She complains of diet, which Miss Bethune thinks coarse, and not according to Beattie's instructions. Dr Stewart should attend to this, being the only way he can help since she refuses medicines. Her health does not allow a move with safety, so all her friends can do is recommend a proper servant.
The second is from Robert Arbuthnot to Beattie:
Encloses letter from miss Bethune. A sensible resonable woman, much attached to Mrs Beattie. Arbuthnot approves her suggestion of sending a prudent faithful servant to take charge of Mrs Beattie. She has a terror of going in a carriage, though Miss Bethune was prepared to take her to the north country and take charge of her. Dr Dun should now be satisfied and not disturb Beattie. Hopes Beattie is benefitting from Peterhead. Praises style and content of Beattie's manuscript. Observations on the slave trade excellent. [Note by Beattie that he answered the part about Mrs Beattie and Miss Bethune on July 5th and the rest on July 9th] |