To William Laing from Aberdeen James Hay Beattie returned last night from Montrose, fetching Montagu and niece Margaret. He has translated Horatian Ode on Peterhead - enclosed [not found]. College wanted James Hay Beattie to take charge of Skene's class during winter, but Beattie did not think James Hay Beattie well enough, so charged devolved on Beattie's nephew. Twenty-three in Beattie's class at first meeting, and Professor of Greek had forty. Plans for Laing to superintend building of a chamber organ for Beattie. He would not learn to play it, but James Hay Beattie could. Wrote lines to Lady Charlotte Gordon while at Gordon Castle , which got into an English Newspaper by chance which Beattie cannot explain [London Chronicle, 23-25 October 1787]. Sends correct version - written out in letter. Dundas and Macpherson had also been writing lines to her. 4 November 1787