To
Moncure D. Conway
6 August 1877 • Elmira, N.Y.
(MS, correspondence cards: NNC, UCCL 01466)
(SUPERSEDED)
slc
Elmira, N.Y., Aug. 6
(I think, but do not know.)— Can’t you do a fellow a kindness? I want a gold watch that will tell the minutes, the hours, & the days of the month. Stemwinder. “Stops” & [second-hand] no object. If it will simply tell me the day of the month, & wind in the stem, I will manage to guess the time of day. To cost not more than £100. ‸(& as much less as is reasonably possible for a good article.‸ [)] [in margin: My wife makes me a present of this watch.] I suppose it can’t be had for the money, but some time when you are down in the city or over in Switzerland or Paris I wish you’d see. If you succeed I’ll send the money & you wear the watch till you find a friend willing to wear it over-sea & gouge the duty.
Bret Harte & I are cordial enemies; so I had to rehearse & bring out our play by myself at the Fifth Avenue last Tuesday. It is proving a bigger success, even than “Col. Sellers” was. Chatto was there. Chatto is a fine man & a gentleman. I like him. We had a chat at the Lotos Club next day. I have left precious little of Harte in “Ah Sin,” & what there is he stole from other people. He is an incorrigible literary thief—& always was. I saved a raft of newspaper notices to send to you—saved them so carefully I can’t put my hand on them now. But when found will send.
I’ve written a new play, by myself, but shall let it lie & ripen under correction several months. Judges say the chief character is enormous. (I’m one of those judges.)
If Raymond should go to England, I can show him a trick or two.
Love to you all. Madam says we go to Germany (via England) next year. (She is boss.)
Yrs Ever
Mark.
P.S.—Have offered to “simultane” 4 Atlantic articles with Temple Bar, beginning with October number. You look out for them. The two last are good. I wish there were enough for Chatto or Bentley to make a 6d primer out of.
SLC.
The enclosed, from N.Y. Evening Post is a fair sample; they all abuse the play, & that fills the house. The audiences are exceedingly enthusiastic.
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