laces。 I am writing with perfect frankness because； of course； I want it to be A1 in its genre — a dreadfully difficult genre it is。 As far as I have read I have made a few verbal notes where the style occasionally is not consistent。 But the main thing is； at any expense； to hurry on more — to give the impression of solemnity； but at more speed； and with much fewer strokes。 I know you hate altering； so it is a prendre ou a laisser； this long screed of opinion。 Of course I see it is a book you have written for yourself。 But the B。P。 must also be thought of。
In a second letter； written about the same time； he says：
I gave all my morning to “Cleopatra” and return her。 After Chapter 8 she’ll do！ I have marked a good many minutiae of style； or expression。 In a few places； a judicious shortening of moral reflections by Harmachis would give him more point to my mind。 Unluckily neither Harmachis nor Cleopatra is sympathetic。 Can’t be helped。 I think even more than before that you should lighten the ship by greatly shortening between chapters 3 and 8。 I can estimate this； because today I read slick on rapidly and was interested all the way。 In the earlier part my attention flagged over all the preparation； and many a traveller would not have persevered。 I like Antony； but don’t feel that that inexplicable person has had full justice done him。 The inevitably archaic style will not make it more popular； but that can’t possibly be helped。 As a whole I think the manner is very well kept up。 I venture to suggest some alterations where modern words e in out of tune。
Screw it a little tighter； and I think it is undeniably an artistic piece of work。 The imagination kindles up after the killing of Paulus。 Before； it is not always up to your level of wakefulness a