| Administrative History | Montagu Beattie [1778-96] Beattie's younger son. Named after Mrs Montagu, who was his godmother and took an affectionate interest in him. In his early childhood he spent less time with his parents than did James Hay, often being boarded with the minister of Durris and his wife, William and Margaret Strachan, who were childless. He attended Aberdeen Grammar School and then Marischal College 1792-96. He is represented as less studious and more outgoing than James Hay Beattie. He hoped to become a clergyman in the Church of England, and in 1791 on a visit to London with his father was confirmed by Beattie's friend Beilby Porteus, Bishop of London. He died after a short illness (probably not tubercolosis) on 14 March 1796, presumably just before he would have graduated MA |
| Description | Collection of essays on various subjects; 10 disbound quires from notebooks with essays on the following titles:
1. "Whether the slave trade be justifiable by the laws of God and Man, or not"
2. "On the question, Whether Agriculture or Commerce be most beneficial to Great Britain"
3. "On the question, Whether Queen Elizabeth's conduct to Mary be justifiable or not"
4. "On the question, Whether a Publick or a Private Education tends most to he improvement o Youth"
"5. "On the question, Whether Refinement of Manners tends to Virtue or to Vice"
6. "On the question, Whether Poetry, Painting, or Music have the greatest influence on the Passions"
7. "On the question, Whether Industry or Affluence be most conducive to Happiness"
8. "On the question, Whether the conduct of Mary Queen of Scots can be justified"
9. "On th question, Whether reading of Novels tends to Vice or to Virtue"
10. "On the question, Whether we access most benefit from the learning of Greece or Rome""
The essays are dated between November 1795 and February 1796, and appear to be set academic exercises. Also two pages of commentary on the text "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom" from the 34th Psalm. |