When this play was originally completed it was so long and so wide, and so deep (in places) and so comprehensive that it would have taken two weeks to play it. And I thought this was a good feature. I supposed we could have a sign on the curtain, “To be continued,” and it would be all right; but the manager said no, that wouldn’t do; to play a play two weeks long would be sure to get us into trouble with the Government because the Constitution of the United States says you sha’n’t inflict cruel and unusual punishments. So he set to work to cut it down and cart the refuse to the paper-mill. Now that was a good thing. I never saw a play improve as this one did. The more he cut out of it the better it got right along. He cut out, and cut out, and cut out; and I do believe this would be one of the best plays in the world to-day if his strength had held out, and he could have gone on and cut out the rest of it. With this brief but necessary explanation of the plot and purpose and moral of this excellent work, I make my bow, repeat my thanks, and remark that the scissors have been repaired and the work of improvement will still go on. (“ ‘Ah Sin’ Last Night—Mark Twain Improves the Occasion,” New York World, 1 Aug 1877, 5)