“Col. Sellers” unfolded his grand speculative schemes again last night to an audience that filled the Opera House in every part, and quite a number of persons unable to secure seats occupied the standing room in the rear of the parquette circle. Mr. Raymond kept the audience thoroughly amused with the peculiarities of the principal character of the drama, from the beginning of the play to the end. Miss Kate Field’s personation of Laura Hawkins was better than on the first evening. Then she labored under the disadvantages of a first appearance in the character, a position more trying to a recent debutante than to one long familiar with the stage. There was a naturalness about some portions of her acting which was quite enjoyable in contrast with the mannerism of some who depend mainly upon the tricks and clap-trap of “stage business” to win popular applause. At the end of the fourth act there were loud calls for Mr. Clemens, some of the audience believing that he was witnessing the play from one of the boxes. Mr. Raymond responded to the call and said Mr. Clemens was not in the building, but he had received a letter from him. This he read, as follows:—

The reading of this letter provoked much laughter. It was a touch of humor not down in the bills, and as the audience had got their money’s worth in witnessing the play advertised, Mr. Clemens can consider the expression of “literary emotion” as an extra contribution to the enjoyment of the evening—a “chromo” awarded to each visitor.

it is hardly proper to complain of Mr. Warner and Mark Twain for the poverty of invention, and commonplace character of this play. Especially as Colonel Sellers is there to make plenteous amends. But, a jewel of such pure water as he should have invited a better setting, not a dull background to bring it out. Therefore, it is with mixed feelings the parents of this dramatic child are to be congratulated. Parents they are, for Mr. Warner originated it, Mark Twain conceived and brought it forth. (“The Gilded Age,” 12 Jan 75, 2)

Yesterday Mr & Mrs Raymond and Miss Kate Field lunched with us. Lunch was to be at three. The first course was soup, the second quails & rice croquets, third, chicken croquets and salad (the kind that you hate I helped make it), fourth strawberry short cake, fifth orange ice, lastly fruit & coffee. The table was decorated with flowers. The dishes were decorated with crimson & gold. Each fruit plate had an exquisite flower painted in it. The ice cream saucers were decorated with flowers &c. The coffee cups were like dolls’ cups, the saucers matched and were all covered with birds and flowers. The spoons were the size of dolls’ spoons, the same pattern as Ma’s tea spoons.

The house was crowded. And the play was splendid. Mr Raymond is perfect as Colonel Mulberry Sellers. It doesn’t seem like acting. The Hawkins family at home and the trial scene were the richest of all. When Colonel Sellers bows to the jury and will persist in making speeches to them, it was perfectly comical. His hits took well, especially those about congress and the jury. The success of the play is wonderful. They are already trying for seats at Washington and Baltimore weeks in advance. Miss Fields did much better than we feared she would do, in the shooting scene she was very good indeed.

My mother was visiting her uncle at the time and she remembers the opening night, and how disturbed she was because Colonel Sellers looked so unlike Cousin James, and the luncheon given by the Clemenses next day for the principals, John T. Raymond and Kate Field. They had pheasants and the maid forgot to pass the currant jelly. (MTBus, 124)