| Administrative History | William Laing [1742-1812]. Student at Marischal College 1762-1766 and Beattie's pupil in 1765-1766. He was Master at Aberdeen Grammar School in 1770-1771. Beattie secured his appointment as episcopal minister at Peterhead in 1771. He had studied Medicine, although he did not obtain any qualification, but in 1782, on Beattie's recommendation, he was awarded an MD degree of Marischal College. He remained a close friend of Beattie until the latter's death |
| Description | James Hay Beattie worse every day. Cannot now go upstairs. Last night thought he would die, but slept well, and pulse under 100, though Wilson says usually 130. Voice very weak. On laudanum at night. Almost confined to bed, but only lies in one posture and has some excoriations. He wants to see Laing. A few days ago burned a parcel of papers , but Beattie would be sorry to destroy many. Beattie today began course of prelections with discourse by James Hay Beattie on piety, value of time, uncertainty of life. Beattie was moved. |