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Sir Walter was the
biggest of all the
lot since Shakespeare:
& I have often
maintained that
there is nothing in
narrative up to
Homer till you
come to the Great
central chapter of
the Heart of Midlothian.
That is the very
crown of imaginative
narrative to me.

This however is
mere "encomium",
& you plead for
criticism - for which
I wish I had time.
But really I habitually
lose myself so
much in Scott
that it is about
the nearest thing
to pure pleasure
that I know.

Now back to
business! I hope
you are very fit.
Why don't you ever