To Mrs Montagu from Aberdeen Detail of his summer would sound like a hospital record. Soon after accident to Beattie's right hand last April James Hay Beattie was taken ill, partly from hard study and partly caring for Beattie. Then he was called to Montrose to see Montagu who had been spending the summer there with aunt and cousin. When Beattie got there Montagu was not as bad as he had been told so he brought him home to the care of a skilful physician. Had forgotten almost all his learning when he returned to school. Journey to Montrose greatly weakend Beattie. Lately he had a scheme of getting James Hay Beattie his assistant and successor, but colleagues wanted Beattie to wait until he was a little older and better able to establish his authority among the students. He gives account of King's and Marischal Colleges and the possible advantaged of the union of the two. 29 November 1786