To William Creech, from Aberdeen He began to suspect that his book was considered at the printing house as a sort of by-work. At first complained in genral terms but things went on getting worse and he found out that the more he remostrated the more he was neglected. Beattie did not know who the printer was and could only apply to Creech, to whom he had directed every proof. Does not complain of the execution of the printing and Beattie is happy to leave it in the printers's hands if he will commit himself under the penalty to send four sheets (sixty-four pages) every week until it is finished. Beattie has never before met such studied, long continued and contemptuous delay. 29 December 1785