s to remove this impression. On the other hand I have to congratulate you on your execution of the scene in the Church?porch on Midsummer night, which is really strongly written, and the best bit in the tale: Also, too, on the way in which you have managed to introduce the leading idea of the story, when it is nearly forgotten, by showing the refusal of the carthorses to pass the churchyard with Alice behind them. The weird reason of this comes into the mind in excellent contrast to the general happiness and sunlight of the hour.
Now you must not think it harsh of me to say what I am going to say—that if I were you I should rewrite the story from beginning to end, and condense it to about one half, or two thirds, its present length. I do not absolutely advise you to do this, but were the story to turn up among my old manuscripts that is the treatment, which would occur to me as best. As a literary exercise alone it is worth doing, even if you never attempt to print the story. It would be also a good thing if you were to write in a clear round hand in a first MS., though after you become known this does not matter so much.
With regard to the second MS. The story, or rather sketch, is a very fair specimen of light, farcical comedy. Should it be refused by an editor the reason will probably be the extreme slightness of the whole thing. There is some affectation in the expressions, which might be easily cured by excision. I cannot well express an opinion on the literary power or possibilities of the writer without knowing his or her age. There is a certain fluency in the wording, which seems to show that the person is not altogether inexperienced in expressing him or herself, so that if it is the unassisted work of a writer under 25 he is to be praised. There is real humour in the characters. and the sketch altogether is amusing. As first attempts both this and the Midsummer eve story are far above the average.