Hartford Sept 14.
My Dear Howells:1
I question if I can write this note intelligibly, for Susie is in the study with me & requires pretty constant attention.
I did think of writing upon [copyright] (without signature), but concluded that the most effectual method of carrying out my views will be to get all authors signatures to my petition & then go to Washington & besiege Congress myself., (s appearing simply as agent for bigger men.) This is of course the best way—& to make it effectual, no literature must let the cat out of the bag [beforehand] .
I As to other articles, I can venture to promise that during the year I will write “some articles” not specifying when or the number or subject of [them. I] had better not try to be more definite.
Have told Bliss to send my volume of Sketches to you before any one else (it is in press now). I think it is an exceedingly handsome book. I destroyed a mass of Sketches, & now heartily wish I had destroyed some more of them—but it is too late to grieve now.2
I wish you & Mrs Howells were here. It is exceedingly pleasant weather. Mrs Clemens & I join in love to you both.
Ever Yrs
S. L. Clemens
Susie’s patience is exhausted!
Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary
Between 17 July and 25 September 1875, the New York Tribune printed twelve letters to the
editor about copyright by the English novelist and dramatist Charles Reade (1814–84), which appeared simultaneously in
London as thirteen letters to the editor of the Pall Mall Gazette (Reade 1875b–m). The tenth Tribune letter appeared on 11 September.
Previously the newspaper had published a letter on copyright by Reade that was not part of the Pall Mall
Gazette series (Reade 1875 [bib00025]).
Source text(s):Previous publication:
L6, 534–35; MTHL, 1:98–99.
Provenance:see Howells Letters in Description of Provenance.
Emendations and textual notes:
copyright • copy-|right
beforehand • before-|hand
them. I • them.—|I
