To Orion Clemens
27 June 1871 • (2nd of 2) • Elmira, N.Y.
(MS: CU-MARK, UCCL 00622)

Elmira 27

Dear Bro:

I wrote a third lecture to-day—& tomorrow I go back on the book again. This third lecture is the only one I shall deliver [ next ] during the coming season.—so it isn’t worth while to mention the others.1 I call it “Reminiscences of Some Pleasant Characters whom I have Met.” (If “whom” is bad grammar, scratch it out.[)] [ “ ]

It covers my whole acquaintance—kings, humorists, lunatics, idiots & all. You might add that, as coming from me.2

Ys

Sam

[in ink:] Orion Clemens Esq | 149 Asylum st | Hartford | Conn [return address:] if not delivered within 10 days, to be returned to [postmarked:] elmira n.y. jun 28 [and] N.Y. | D.P.O.

Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

Click to add citation to My Citations.

1 See 27 June 71 to OC (1st), n. 1.

Click to add citation to My Citations.

2 Orion replied on 4 July:

I do not see how you could possibly have chosen a better subject for your lecture. . . .

“Whom” is right. I never knew you to make a grammatical error. . . .

I will preserve your letter concerning it (the lecture) and use it in calling attention to the lecture in next issue. (CU-MARK)

The new notice did not appear until the September issue of the American Publisher:

Mark Twain’s Lecture on his acquaintances—kings, humorists, lunatics, idiots, and all—under the title of “Reminiscences of some pleasant characters whom I have met,” will be delivered during the approaching season at the prices of $100 or $110 to $250 per night. (OC 1871)

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

MS, Mark Twain Papers, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley (CU-MARK).

Previous publication: L4, 414–415; MTMF, 154 n. 2, brief excerpt.

Provenance:see Mark Twain Papers in Description of Provenance.

Emendations and textual notes:

next • [‘t’ partly formed]

“ • [deletion implied]