Pliny on Reading a Written Work before an Audience

Epist. 5.3.8 (LCL, Radice)
To Titius Aristo

I have therefore two reasons for reading in public: the reader is made more keenly critical of his own work if he stands in some awe of his audience, and he has a kind of panel of experts to confirm his decision on any doubtful point. He receives suggestions from different members, and, failing this, he can infer their various opinions from their expressions, glances, nods, applause, murmurs and silence, signs which make clear the distinction between their critical judgment and polite assent. And then if any of the company is interested in reading what he has heard, he will realize that I have made certain alterations or omissions which may perhaps accord with his opinion, although he never actually expressed it to me. But now I am arguing this point as if I invited the general public to a lecture hall instead of having my friends in my own room…