| Administrative History | James Hay Beattie [1768-1790]. Eldest son of Beattie. Named, with permission, after Beattie's patron James Hay, Earl of Erroll. His childhood is lovingly recorded in many letters, which show that Beattie was always a deeply involved parent, and in the memoir Beattie wrote shortly after James Hay's death. His childhood and adolescence were marred by his mother's mental illness, and her total disasppearance from his life when he was aged about eleven. He attended Aberdeen Grammar School, and then Marischal College from 1781 to 1786. He considered entering the church, but Beattie secured his appointment on 28 Spetember 1787 as his own assistant and successor. James Hay sometimes taught the Arts class, but was already ill with tubercolosis, of which he died on 19 November 1790. His father assembled a substantial volume of his prose and verse, printed in an edition of 200 copies for circulation among his friends in 1794, and subsequently published with Beattie's own poems in 1799 |
| Description | Letter from James Hay Beattie, Cambridge, Thursday, to James Dun, Aberdeen, mentioning his arrival in Cambridge with his father and their visit to the Colleges. Letter says James Hay's father has to see an accquaintance and letter mentions James Hay's estimation that they will arrive in London on Saturday. James Hay writes that he will send a more detailed letter once they are settled in London and tells James Dun to direct letters under cover to the Bishop of Chester. James Hay reminds Dun to look at his gun.
Includes a note from James Hay sending compliments to Dr Livingston and saying he will write to him in a day or two.
"Dear Grandpapa
"I have only time to inform you, that Papa and I arrived here to - day in good health, and since our arrival here have been seeing the Colleges. We are now within fifty two miles of London, and could easily be there tomorrow, but Papa has an accquaintance between this and that, whom he wishes to see, so that it will probably be Saturday before we get there. When we are fairly settled in lodgings, I shall write you at more length. In the mean time I expect to hear from you in course of Post, & I suppose you know to Direct to me under cover to the Bishop of Chester. Papa joins me in compliments to Mama and Grandmama and in best wishes to Montagu, And I ever am Dear Grand Papa yours most affectionately [Signed] J H Beattie.
"Remember to look at my Gun. |