| Administrative History | Sir William Forbes [1739-1806] Banker, longstanding friend and later biographer of Beattie. From an Episcopalian family, and related to Lord Forbes of Pistligo, whose estates were confiscated for his part in the 1745 rebellion. He was apprenticed to Coutt's bank, becoming a partner in Forbes, Hunter and Co in 1773. He was well-known in literary circles in Edinburgh and London. Beattie met him in Edinburgh in 1765, introduced by Robert Arbuthnot. Forbes was Beattie's banker, adviser on literary matters, and general confidant |
| Description | .Letter from Sir William Forbes, Edinburgh, to Lord Hailes, mentioning that he had received Hailes' second letter and that he was waiting for a letter from James Beattie, who has been unable to write due to poor health. Letter says that Hailes should read the enclosed copy [not present], which relates to what Beattie says on the 'Subject in question'. Forbes writes that ?Beattie resolves to remain where he is and cannot be persuaded to view the matter in the way Hailes does. Letter says that Forbes feels uneasy about his sending [?of Hailes'] letters to Beattie without asking permission from Hailes. Forbes ends by writing 'I am mortified to find however that they have had so little weight'.
Addressed: 'To the Honorable Lord Hailes'. |