Jump to Content

editorial office of the atlantic monthly. the riverside press, cambridge, mass.

Dec. 25, 1877.

My dear Clemens:

I was just about to ask you to let me postpone your story a month, because I found the Feb’y number overfull, and your paper had come last to hand. But I have no idea of dropping you out of the Atlantic, and Mr. Houghton has still less, if possible. You are going to help and not hurt us many a year yet, if you will. Every one with whom I have talked about your speech regards it as a fatality—one of those sorrows into which a man walks with his eyes wide open, no one knows why. I believe that Emerson, Longfellow and Holmes themselves can easily conceive of it in that light, and while I think your regret does you honor and does you good, I don=t want you to dwell too morbidly on the matter. Mr. Norton left a note on my table the other day, expressing just the right feeling towards you about it. One of the most fastidious men here, who read the speech, saw no offense in it. But I don’t pretend not to agree with you about it. All I want you to do is not to exaggerate the damage. You are not going to be floored by it; there is more justice than that even in this world. And especially as regards me, just call the sore spot well. I could say more and with better heart in praise of your good-feeling (which was what I always liked in you) since this thing happened than I could before.

—A man isn’t hurt by any honest effort at reparation. Why should n’t you write to each of those men and say frankly that at such and such an hour on the 17th of December you did so and so? They would take it in the right spirit, I’m sure. If they didn’t the right would be yours.

Mrs. Howells joins me in cordial regards to Mrs Clemens and yourself.

Ever yours

W. D. Howells.