LetterstoMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。Louis：
FAYALAzores，June20th，1867。
DEARFOLKS，——Wearehavingalivelytimehere，afterastormytrip。WemeanttogotoSanMiguel，butweredrivenherebystressofweather。
Beautifulclimate。
Yrs。
Affect。
SAM。
GIBRALTAR，June30th，1867。
DEARFOLKS，——Arrivedherethismorning，andamclearwornoutwithridingandclimbinginandoverandaroundthismonstrousrockanditsfortifications。Summerclimateandverypleasant。
Yrs。
SAM。
TANGIER，MOROCCO，AFRICA，July1，1867。
DEARFOLKS，HalfadozenofuscamehereyesterdayfromGibraltarandsomeofthecompanytooktheotherdirection；wentupthroughSpain，toParisbyrail。WedecidedthatGibraltarandSanRoquewereallofSpainthatwewantedtoseeatpresentandaregladwecamehereamongtheAfricans，Moors，ArabsandBedouinsofthedesert。Iwouldnotgivethisexperienceforallthebalanceofthetripcombined。ThisistheinfernalesthiveofinfernallycostumedbarbariansIhaveevercomeacrossyet。
Yrs。
SAM。
ATSEA，July2，1867。
DR。FOLKS，——WearefaruptheintenselyblueandravishinglybeautifulMediterranean。AndnowwearejustpassingtheislandofMinorca。Theclimateisperfectlylovelyanditishardtodriveanybodytobed，dayornight。Weremainupthewholenightthroughoccasionally，andbythismeansenjoytheraresensationofseeingthesunrise。Butthesunsetsaresoft，rich，warmandsuperb！
Wehadaballlastnightundertheawningsofthequarterdeck，andtheshareofitofthreeofuswasmasquerade。Wehadfull，flowing，picturesqueMoorishcostumeswhichwepurchasedinthebazaarsofTangier。
Yrs。
SAM。
MARSEILLES，FRANCE，July5，1867。
Wearehere。StartforParistomorrow。Allwell。Hadgorgeous4thofJulyjollificationyesterdayatsea。
Yrs。
SAM。
Thereadermayexpandthesesketchyoutlinestohisheart”scontentbyfollowingthechaptersinTheInnocentsAbroad，whichisverygoodhistory，lesselaboratedthanmightbesupposed。Butontheotherhand，thenextletteraddssomethingofinteresttothebook-
circumstanceswhichamodestauthorwouldnecessarilyomit。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。Louis：
YALTA，RUSSIA，Aug。25，1867。
DEARFOLKS，——WehavebeenrepresentingtheUnitedStatesallweknewhowtoday。WewenttoSebastopol，afterwegottiredofConstantinoplegotyourletterthere，andoneatNaples，andtheretheCommandantandthewholetowncameaboardandwereasjollyandsociableasoldfriends。
TheysaidtheEmperorofRussiawasatYalta，30milesor40away，andurgedustogotherewiththeshipandvisithim——promisedusacordialwelcome。TheyinsistedonsendingatelegramtotheEmperor，andalsoacourieroverlandtoannounceourcoming。ButweknewthatagreatEnglishExcursionparty，andalsotheViceroyofEgypt，inhissplendidyacht，hadbeenrefusedanaudiencewithinthelastfortnight，sowethoughtitnotsafetotryit。Theysaid，nodifference——theEmperorwouldhardlyvisitourship，becausethatwouldbeamostextraordinaryfavor，andonewhichheuniformlyrefusestoaccordunderanycircumstances，buthewouldcertainlyreceiveusathispalace。Westilldeclined。ButwehadtogotoOdessa，250milesaway，andtheretheGovernorGeneralurgedus，andsentatelegramtotheEmperor，whichwehardlyexpectedtobeanswered，butitwas，andpromptly。SowesailedbacktoYalta。
Weallwenttothepalaceatnoon，today，3milesincarriagesandonhorsessentbytheEmperor，andwehadajollytime。Insteadoftheusualformalaudienceof15minutes，westaid4hoursandweremadeagooddealmoreathomethanwecouldhavebeeninaNewYorkdrawing-
room。Thewholetribeturnedouttoreceiveourparty-Emperor，Empress，theoldestdaughterGrand-DuchessMarie，aprettygirlof14，alittleGrandDuke，herbrother，andaplatoonofAdmirals，Princes，PeersoftheEmpire，etc。，andinalittlewhileanaid-de-camparrivedwitharequestfromtheGrandDukeMichael，theEmperor”sbrother，thatwewouldvisithispalaceandbreakfastwithhim。TheEmperoralsoinvitedus，onbehalfofhisabsenteldestsonandheiraged22，tovisithispalaceandconsideritavisittohim。TheyalltalkEnglishandtheywereallveryneatlybutveryplainlydressed。Youalldressagooddealfinerthantheyweredressed。TheEmperorandhisfamilythrewoffallreserveandshowedusalloverthepalacethemselves。Itisveryrichandveryelegant，butinnowaygaudy。
IhadbeenappointedchairmanofacommitteetodraughtanaddresstotheEmperorinbehalfofthepassengers，andasIfullyexpected，andastheyfullyintended，Ihadtowritetheaddressmyself。Ididn”tmindit，becauseIhavenomodestyandwouldassoonwritetoanEmperorastoanybodyelse——butconsideringthattherewere5onthecommitteeI
thoughttheymighthavecontributedoneparagraphamongthem，anyway。
Theywantedmetoreadittohim，too，butIdeclinedthathonor——notbecauseIhadn”tcheekenoughandsometospare，butbecauseourConsulatOdessawasalong，andalsotheSecretaryofourLegationatSt。
Petersburgh，andofcourseoneofthoseoughttoreadit。TheEmperoracceptedtheaddress——itwashisbusinesstodoit——andsomanyothershavepraiseditwarmlythatIbegintoimagineitmustbeawonderfulsortofdocumentandherewithsendyoutheoriginaldraughtofittobeputintoalcoholandpreservedforeverlikeacuriousreptile。
TheyliverightwellattheGrandDukeMichael”stheirbreakfastsarenotgorgeousbutveryexcellent——andifMikeweretosaythewordIwouldgothereandbreakfastwithhimtomorrow。
YrsaffSAM。
P。S。[Writtenacrossthefaceofthelastpage。]TheyhadtoldusitwouldbepolitetoinvitetheEmperortovisittheship，thoughhewouldnotbelikelytodoit。Buthedidn”tgiveusachance——hehasrequestedpermissiontocomeonboardwithhisfamilyandallhisrelationstomorrowandtakeasail，incaseitiscalmweather。Ican，entertainthem。Myhandisin，now，andifyouwantanymoreEmperorsfetedinstyle，trotthemout。
Thenextletterisofinterestinthatitgivesustheprogramandvolumeofhiswork。Withallthesightseeinghewasaveragingafullfourlettersaweek——longletters，requiringcarefulobservationandinquiry。Howfreshandimpressionableandfullofvigorhewas，eveninthatfiercesouthernheat！NoonemakestheMediterraneantripinsummerto-day，andthethoughtofaddingconstantletter-writingtosteadytravelthroughsouthernFrance，Italy，Greece，andTurkeyinblazingmidsummerisstupefying。AndSyriaandEgyptinSeptember！
ToMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。Louis：
CONSTANTINOPLE，Sept。1，”67。
DEARFOLKS，——Allwell。DotheAlta”scomeregularly？IwishIknewwhethermylettersreachthemornot。Lookoverthebackpapersandsee。
Iwrotethemasfollows：
1LetterfromFayal，intheAzoresIslands。
1fromGibraltar，inSpain。
1fromTangier，inAfrica。
2fromParisandMarseilles，inFrance。
1fromGenoa，inItaly。
1fromMilan。
1fromLakeComo。
1fromsomelittleplaceinSwitzerland——haveforgottenthename。
4concerningLecce，Bergamo，Padua，Verona，BattlefieldofMarengo，Pestachio，andsomeothercitiesinNorthernItaly。
2fromVenice。
1aboutBologna。
1fromFlorence。
1fromPisa。
1fromLeghorn。
1fromRomeandCivitaVecchia。
2fromNaples。
1aboutPazzuoli，whereSt。Paullanded，theBathsofNero，andtheruinsofBaia，Virgil”stomb，theElysianFields，theSunkenCitiesandthespotwhereUlysseslanded。
1fromHerculaneumandVesuvius。
1fromPompeii。
1fromtheIslandofIschia。
1concerningtheVolcanoofStromboli，thecityandStraitsofMessina，thelandofSicily，ScyllaandCharybdisetc。
1abouttheGrecianArchipelago。
1aboutamidnightvisittoAthens，thePiraeusandtheruinsoftheAcropolis。
1abouttheHellespont，thesiteofancientTroy，theSeaofMarmara，etc。
2aboutConstantinople，theGoldenHornandthebeautiesoftheBosphorus。
1fromOdessaandSebastopolinRussia，theBlackSea，etc。
2fromYalta，Russia，concerningavisittotheCzar。
AndyesterdayIwroteanotherletterfromConstantinopleand1todayaboutitsneighborinAsia，Scatter。IamnotdonewithTurkeyyet。Shallwrite2or3more。
IhavewrittentotheNewYorkHerald2lettersfromNaples，nonamesigned，and1fromConstantinople。
TotheNewYorkTribuneIhavewritten1fromFayal。
1fromCivitaVecchiaintheRomanStates。
2fromYalta，Russia。
And1fromConstantinople。
IhaveneverseenanyoftheselettersinprintexcepttheonetotheTribunefromFayalandthatwasnotworthprinting。
Wesailhencetomorrow，perhaps，andmynextletterswillbemailedatSmyrna，inSyria。IhopetowritefromtheSeaofTiberius，Damascus，Jerusalem，Joppa，andpossiblyotherpointsintheHolyLand。ThelettersfromEgypt，theNileandAlgiersIwilllookoutfor，myself。
Iwillbringtheminmypocket。
Theytakethefinestphotographsintheworldhere。Ihaveorderedsome。
TheywillbesenttoAlexandria，Egypt。
YoucannotconceiveofanythingsobeautifulasConstantinople，viewedfromtheGoldenHornortheBosphorus。Ithinkitmustbethehandsomestcityintheworld。Iwillgoondeckandlookatitforyou，directly。
Iamstayingintheship，tonight。Igenerallystayonshorewhenweareinport。ButyesterdayIjustranmyselfdown。DanSlote，myroom-mate，isonshore。HeremainedherewhilewewentuptheBlackSea，butitseemshehasnotgotenoughofityet。IthoughtDanhadgotthestate-
roomprettyfullofrubbishatlast，butawhileagohisdragomanarrivedwithabrannew，ghastlytomb-stoneoftheOrientalpattern，withhisnamehandsomelycarvedandgildedonit，inTurkishcharacters。ThatfellowwillbuyaCircassianslave，next。
Iamtired。Wearegoingonatrip，tomorrow。Imusttobed。Lovetoall。
YrsSAM。
U。S。CONSUL”SOFFICE，BEIRUT，SYRIA，Sept。11。1867
DEARFOLKS，——Wearehere，eightofus，makingacontractwithadragomantotakeustoBaalbek，thentoDamascus，Nazareth，&c。thentoLakeGenassarethSeaofTiberias，thenSouththroughallthecelebratedScripturallocalitiestoJerusalem——thentotheDeadSea，theCaveofMacpelahanduptoJoppawheretheshipwillbe。Weshallbeinthesaddlethreeweeks——wehavehorses，tents，provisions，arms，adragomanandtwootherservants，andwepayfivedollarsadayapiece，ingold。
Lovetoall，yrs。
SAM。
Weleavetonight，attwoo”clockinthemorning。
ThereappeartobenofurtherhomeletterswrittenfromSyria——andnonefromEgypt。Perhapswiththedesertandthedeltatheheatatlastbecametoofearfulforanythingbeyondtheactualrequirementsoftheday。WhenhebeganhisnextitwasOctober，andthefiercertravelwasbehindhim。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。Louis：
CAGHARI，SARDINIA，Oct，12，1867。
DEARFOLKS，——Wehavejustdroppedanchorbeforethishandsomecityand——
ALGIERS，AFRICA，Oct。15。
TheywouldnotletuslandatCagharionaccountofcholera。Nothingtowrite。
MALAGA，SPAIN，Oct。17。
TheCaptainandIareashorehereunderguard，waitingtoknowwhethertheywilllettheshipanchorornot。QuarantineregulationsareverystricthereonallvesselscomingfromEgypt。IamalittleanxiousbecauseIwanttogoinlandtoGranadaandseetheAlhambra。IcangoondownbySevilleandCordova，andbepickedupatCadiz。
Later：Wecannotanchor——mustgoon。WeshallbeatGibraltarbeforemidnightandIthinkIwillgohorsebackalongdaysandthencebyrailanddiligencetoCadiz。IwillnotmailthistillIseetheGibraltarlights——Ibegintothinktheywon”tletusinanywhere。
11。30P。M——Gibraltar。
Atanchorandallright，buttheywon”tletuslandtillmorning——itisawasteofvaluabletime。WeshallreachNewYorkmiddleofNovember。
Yours，SAM。
CADIZ，Oct24，1867。
DEARFOLKS，——WeleftGibraltaratnoonandrodetoAlgeciras，4hours
thusdodgingthequarantine，tookdinnerandthenrodehorsebackallnightinaswingingtrotandatdaylighttookacalecheawheeledvehicleandrode5hours——thentookcarsandtraveledtilltwelveatnight。ThatlandedusatSevilleandwewereoverthehardpartofourtrip，andsomewhattired。Sincethenwehavetakenthingscomparativelyeasy，driftingaroundfromonetowntoanotherandattractingagooddealofattention，forIguessstrangersdonotwanderthroughAndalusiaandtheotherSouthernprovincesofSpainoften。ThecountryispreciselyasitwaswhenDonQuixoteandSanchoPanzawerepossiblecharacters。
ButIseenowwhatthegloryofSpainmusthavebeenwhenitwasunderMoorishdomination。No，Iwillnotsaythat，butthenwhenoneiscarriedaway，infatuated，entranced，withthewondersoftheAlhambraandthesupernaturalbeautyoftheAlcazar，heisapttooverflowwithadmirationforthesplendidintellectsthatcreatedthem。
Icannotwritenow。IamonlydroppingalinetoletyouknowIamwell。
Theshipwillcallforusheretomorrow。WemaystopatLisbon，andshallattheBermudas，andwillarriveinNewYorktendaysafterthislettergetsthere。
SAM。
Thisisthelastpersonalletterwrittenduringthatfamousfirstsea-gipsying，andreadingitourregretgrowsthathedidnotputsomethingofhisSpanishexcursionintohisbook。HeneverreturnedtoSpain，andheneverwroteofit。Onlythebarestmentionof“sevenbeautifuldays“isfoundinTheInnocentsAbroad。
VIII。
LETTERS1867-68。WASHINGTONANDSANFRANCISCO。THEPROPOSEDBOOKOF
TRAVEL。ANEWLECTURE
FromMarkTwain”shomeletterswegetseveralimportantside-lightsonthisfirstfamousbook。Welearn，forinstance，thatitwashewhodraftedtheshipaddresstotheEmperor——theopeninglinesofwhichbecamesowearisomewhenrepeatedbythesailors。
Furthermore，welearnsomethingofthescopeandextentofhisnewspapercorrespondence，whichmusthavekepthimfuriouslybusy，doneasitwasinthemidstofsuper-heatedandcontinuoussight-
seeing。HewrotefiftythreeletterstotheAlta-California，sixtotheNewYorkTribune，andatleasttwototheNewYorkHeraldmorethansixty，alltold，ofanaverage，lengthofthreetofourthousandwordseach。MarkTwainalwaysclaimedtobealazyman，andcertainlyhewaslikelytoavoidanundertakingnotsuitedtohisgifts，buthehadenergyinabundanceforworkinhischosenfield。
Tohavepiledupacorrespondenceofthatsizeinthetime，andunderthecircumstancesalreadynoted，qualityconsidered，maybecountedarecordinthehistoryoftravelletters。
Theymadehimfamous。ArrivinginNewYork，November19，1867，MarkTwainfoundhimselfnolongerunknowntothemetropolis，ortoanyportionofAmerica。PapersEastandWesthadcopiedhisAltaandTribunelettersandcarriedhisnameintoeverycorneroftheStatesandTerritories。Hehadpreachedanewgospelintravelliterature，thegospeloffranknessandsinceritythatAmericanscouldunderstand。Alsohisliterarypowershadawakenedatlast。Hisworkwasnolongertrivial，crude，andshowy；itwasfullofdignity，beauty，andpower；hishumorwasfiner，worthier。ThedifferenceinqualitybetweentheQuakerCitylettersandthosewrittenfromtheSandwichIslandsonlyayearbeforecanscarcelybemeasured。
HedidnotremaininNewYork，butwentdowntoWashington，wherehehadarrangedforaprivatesecretaryshipwithSenatorWilliamM。
Stewart，——[The“Bill“Stewartmentionedintheprecedingchapter。]
whomhehadknowninNevada。Suchapositionhebelievedwouldmakebutlittledemanduponhistime，andwouldaffordhimaninsightintoWashingtonlife，whichhecouldmakevaluableintheshapeofnewspapercorrespondence。
Butfatehadotherplansforhim。Hepresentlyreceivedthefollowingletter：
FromElishaBliss，Jr。，inHartfordOFFICEOFTHEAMERICANPUBLISHINGCOMPANY。
HARTFORD，CONN，Nov21，1867。
SAMUELL。CLEMENSEsq。
TribuneOffice，NewYork。
DR。SIR，——Wetakethelibertytoaddressyouthis，inplaceofaletterwhichwehadrecentlywrittenandwasabouttoforwardtoyou，notknowingyourarrivalhomewasexpectedsosoon。Wearedesirousofobtainingfromyouaworkofsomekind，perhapscompiledfromyourlettersfromtheEast，&c。，withsuchinterestingadditionsasmaybeproper。WearethepublishersofA。D。Richardson”sworks，andflatterourselvesthatwecangiveanauthorasfavorabletermsanddoasfulljusticetohisproductionsasanyotherhouseinthecountry。Weareperhapstheoldestsubscriptionhouseinthecountry，andhaveneverfailedtogiveabookanimmensecirculation。Wesoldabout100，000
copiesofRichardson”sF。D。&E。Field，DungeonandEscapeandarenowprinting41，000，of“BeyondtheMississippi，“andlargeordersahead。
Ifyouhaveanythoughtofwritingabook，orcouldbeinducedtodoso，weshouldbepleasedtoseeyou；andwilldoso。Willyoudousthefavortoreplyatonce，atyourearliestconvenience。
Verytruly，&c。，E。BLISS，Jr。
Secty。
Clemenshadalreadytheideaofabookinmindand。welcomedthisproposition。
ToElishaBliss，Jr。，inHartford：
WASHINGTON，Dec。2，1867。
E。BLISS，Jr。Esq。
Sec”yAmericanPublishingCo——
DEARSIR，——IonlyreceivedyourfavorofNov。21stlastnight，attheroomsoftheTribuneBureauhere。ItwasforwardedfromtheTribuneoffice，NewYork，whereithadlaineightortendays。Thiswillbeasufficientapologyfortheseemingdiscourtesyofmysilence。
Iwrotefifty-twothreelettersfortheSanFrancisco“AltaCalifornia“
duringtheQuakerCityexcursion，abouthalfofwhichnumberhavebeenprinted，thusfar。The“Alta“hasfewexchangesintheEast，andI
supposescarcelyanyoftheselettershavebeencopiedonthissideoftheRockyMountains。IcouldweedthemoftheirchieffaultsofconstructionandineleganciesofexpressionandmakeavolumethatwouldbemoreacceptableinmanyrespectsthananyIcouldnowwrite。Whenthoseletterswerewrittenmyimpressionswerefresh，butnowtheyhavelostthatfreshness；theywerewarmthen——theyarecold，now。Icouldstrikeoutcertainletters，andwritenewoneswherewithtosupplytheirplaces。Ifyouthinksuchabookwouldsuityourpurpose，pleasedropmealine，specifyingthesizeandgeneralstyleofthevolume；whenthematteroughttobeready；whetheritshouldhavepicturesinitornot；
andparticularlywhatyourtermswithmewouldbe，andwhatamountofmoneyImightpossiblymakeoutofit。Thelatterclausehasadegreeofimportanceformewhichisalmostbeyondmyowncomprehension。Butyouunderstandthat，ofcourse。
Ihaveotherpropositionsforabook，buthavedoubtedtheproprietyofinterferingwithgoodnewspaperengagements，exceptmywayasanauthorcouldbedemonstratedtobeplainbeforeme。ButIknowRichardson，andlearnedfromhimsomemonthsago，somethingofanideaofthesubscriptionplanofpublishing。Ifthatisyourplaninvariably，itlookssafe。
IamontheN。Y。Tribunestaffhereasan“occasional，“，amongotherthings，andanotefromyouaddressedtoVerytruly&c。
SAML。CLEMENS，NewYorkTribuneBureau，Washington，willfindme，withoutfail。
TheexchangeofthesetwolettersmarkedthebeginningofoneofthemostnotablepublishingconnectionsinAmericanliteraryhistory。
Thebook，however，wasnotbegunimmediately。Blisswasinpoorhealthandfinalarrangementsweredelayed；itwasnotuntillateinJanuarythatClemenswenttoHartfordandconcludedthearrangement。
Meantime，fatehaddisclosedanothermatterofevengreaterimportance；wegetthefirsthintofitinthefollowingletter，thoughtohimitsbeginninghadbeenearlier——onadayintheblueharborofSmyrna，whenyoungCharlesLangdon，afellow-passengerontheQuakerCity，hadshowntoMarkTwainaminiatureofyoungLangdon”ssisterathome：
ToMrs。JaneClemensandMrs。Moffett，inSt。Louis：
224F。STREET，WASH，Jan。8，1868。
MYDEARMOTHERANDSISTER，——AndsotheoldMajorhasbeenthere，hashe？
Iwouldlikemightywelltoseehim。Iwasasortofbenefactortohimonce。IhelpedtosnatchhimoutwhenhewasabouttorideintoaMohammedanMosqueinthatqueeroldMoorishtownofTangier，inAfrica。
Ifhehadgotin，theMoorswouldhaveknockedhisvenerableoldheadoff，forhistemerity。
IhavejustarrivedfromNewYork-beenthereeversinceChristmasstayingatthehouseofDanSlotemyQuakerCityroom-mate，andhavingasplendidtime。CharleyLangdon，JackVanNostrand，DanandI，allQuakerCitynight-hawks，hadablow-outatDan”s”houseandalivelytalkoveroldtimes。WewentthroughtheHolyLandtogether，andIjustlaughedtillmysidesached，atsomeofourreminiscences。ItwastheunholiestgangthatevercavortedthroughPalestine，butthosearethebestboysintheworld。WeneededMoultonbadly。Istartedtomakecalls，NewYear”sDay，butIanchoredforthedayatthefirsthouseIcameto——CharlieLangdon”ssisterwastherebeautifulgirl，andMissAliceHooker，anotherbeautifulgirl，anieceofHenryWardBeecher”s。Wesenttheoldfolkshomeearly，withinstructionsnottosendthecarriagetillmidnight，andthenIjuststaidthereandworriedthelifeoutofthosegirls。IamgoingtospendafewdayswiththeLangdon”sinElmira，NewYork，assoonasIgettime，andafewdaysatMrs。Hooker”sinHartford，Conn。，shortly。
HenryWardBeechersentformelastSundaytocomeoveranddinehelivesinBrooklyn，youknow，andIwent。HarrietBeecherStowewasthere，andMrs。andMissBeecher，Mrs。HookerandmyoldQuakerCityfavorite，EmmaBeach。
Wehadaverygaytime，ifitwasSunday。IexpectItoldmoreliesthanIhavetoldbeforeinamonth。
Iwentbackbyinvitation，aftertheeveningservice，andfinishedtheblow-out，andthenstaidallnightatMr。Beach”s。HenryWardisabrick。
Ifoundoutat10o”clock，lastnight，thatIwastolecturetomorroweveningandsoyoumustbeawarethatIhavebeenworkinglikesinallnighttogetalecturewritten。Ihavefinishedit，Icallit“FrozenTruth。”Itisalittletop-heavy，though，becausethereismoretruthinthetitlethanthereisinthelecture。
Butthunder，Imustn”tsitherewritingallday，withsomuchbusinessbeforeme。
Goodby，andkindregardstoall。
YrsaffySAML。CLEMENS。
JackVanNostrandofthisletteris“Jack“oftheInnocents。EmmaBeachwasthedaughterofMosesS。Beach，ofthe”NewYorkSun。”
Latershebecamethewifeofthewell-knownpainter，AbbotH。
Thayer。
WedonothearofMissLangdonagaininthelettersofthattime，butitwasnotbecauseshewasabsentfromhisthoughts。HehadfirstseenherwithherfatherandbrotherattheoldSt。NicholasHotel，onlowerBroadway，where，soonafterthearrivaloftheQuakerCityinNewYork，hehadbeeninvitedtodine。Longafterwardhesaid：“Itisfortyyearsago；fromthatdaytothisshehasneverbeenoutofmymind。”
FromhisnextletterwelearnofthelecturewhichapparentlywasdeliveredinWashington。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandMrs。Moffett，inSt。Louis：
WASH。Jan。9，1868。
MYDEARMOTHERANDSISTER，——Thatinfernallectureisover，thankHeaven！
Itcamenearbeingavillainousfailure。Itwasnotadvertisedatall。
Themanagerwastakensickyesterday，andthemanwhowassenttotellme，nevergottometillafternoontoday。Therewasthedickenstopay。
Itwastoolatetodoanything——toolatetostopthelecture。Iscaredupadoor-keeper，andwasreadyatthepropertime，andbypuregoodluckatolerablygoodhouseassembledandIwassaved！IhardlyknewwhatI
wasgoingtotalkabout，butitwentoffinsplendidstyle。IwastohavepreachedagainSaturdaynight，butIwon”t——Ican”tgetalongwithoutamanager。
IhavebeeninNewYorkeversinceChristmas，youknow，andnowIshallhavetoworklikesintocatchupmycorrespondence。
AndIhavegottogetupthatbook，too。CutmylettersoutoftheAlta”sandsendthemtomeinanenvelop。Some，here，thatarenotmailedyet，Ishallhavetocopy，Isuppose。
Ihavegotathousandthingstodo，andamnotdoinganyofthem。Ifeelperfectlysavage。
GoodbyeYrsaffSAM。
Onthewhole，mattersweregoingwellwithhim。Hisnextletterisfullofhissuccess——overflowingwiththeboyishradiancewhichheneverquiteoutgrew。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandMrs。Moffett，inSt。Louis：
HARTFORD，CONN。Jan。24-68。
DEARMOTHERANDSISTER，——Thisisagoodweekforme。IstoppedintheHeraldofficeasIcamethroughNewYork，toseetheboysonthestaff，andyoungJamesGordonBennettaskedmetowritetwiceaweek，impersonally，fortheHerald，andsaidifIwouldImighthavefullswing，andwriteaboutanybodyandeverybodyIwantedto。IsaidI
musthavetheveryfullestpossibleswing，andhesaid“allright。”
Isaid“It”sacontract”andthatsettledthatmatter。
I”llmakeitapointtowriteoneletteraweek，any-how。
Butthebestthingthathashappenedwashere。ThisgreatAmericanPublishingCompanykeptontryingtobargainwithmeforabooktillI
thoughtIwouldcutthemattershortbycomingupforatalk。ImetRev。
HenryWardBeecherinBrooklyn，andwithhisusualwhole-souledwayofdroppinghisownworktogiveotherpeoplealiftwhenhegetsachance，hesaid，“Now，here，youareoneofthetalentedmenoftheage——nobodyisgoingtodenythat——butinmattersofbusiness，Idon”tsupposeyouknowmorethanenoughtocameinwhenitrains。I”lltellyouwhattodo，andhowtodoit。”Andhedid。
AndIlistenedwell，andthencameuphereandmadeasplendidcontractforaQuakerCitybookof5or600largepages，withillustrations，themanuscripttobeplacedinthepublishers”handsbythemiddleofJuly。
Mypercentageistobeafifthmorethantheyhaveeverpaidanyauthor，exceptHoraceGreeley。Beecherwillbesurprised，Iguess，whenhehearsthis。
ButIhadmymindmadeuptoonething——Iwasn”tgoingtotouchabookunlesstherewasmoneyinit，andagooddealofit。Itoldthemso。
Ihadthemisfortuneto“bustout“oneauthorofstanding。Theyhadhismanuscript，withtheunderstandingthattheywouldpublishhisbookiftheycouldnotgetabookfromme，theyonlypublishtwobooksatatime，andsomybookandRichardson”sLifeofGrantwillfillthebillfornextfallandwinter——sothatmanuscriptwassentbacktoitsauthortoday。
Thesepublishersgetoffthemosttremendouseditionsoftheirbooksyoucanimagine。IshallwritetotheEnterpriseandAltaeveryweek，asusual，Iguess，andtotheHeraldtwiceaweek——occasionallytotheTribuneandtheMagazinesIhaveastupidarticleintheGalaxy，justissuedbutIamnotgoingtowritetothis，thatandtheotherpaperanymore。
TheChicagoTribunewantsletters，butIhopeandprayIhavechargedthemsomuchthattheywillnotclosethecontract。Iamgraduallygettingoutofdebt，butthesetripstoNewYorkdocostlikesin。
IhopeyouhavecutoutandforwardedmyprintedletterstoWashington——pleasecontinuetodosoastheyarrive。
Ihavehadatip-toptime，here，forafewdaysguestofMr。Jno。
Hooker”sfamily——Beecher”srelatives-inageneralwayofMr。Bliss，also，whoisheadofthepublishingfirm。Puritansaremightystraight-lacedandtheywon”tletmesmokeintheparlor，buttheAlmightydon”tmakeanybetterpeople。
Lovetoall-good-bye。IshallbeinNewYork3days——thengoontotheCapital。
Yrsaffly，especiallyMa。，YrSAM。
IhavetomakeaspeechattheannualHeralddinneronthe6thofMay。
Noformalcontractforthebookhadbeenmadewhenthisletterwaswritten。AverbalagreementbetweenBlissandClemenshadbeenreached，toberatifiedbyanexchangeoflettersinthenearfuture。Blisshadmadetwopropositions，viz。，tenthousanddollars，cashinhand，ora5-per-cent。royaltyonthesellingpriceofthebook。ThecashsumofferedlookedverylargetoMarkTwain，andhewassorelytemptedtoacceptit。Hehadfaith，however，inthebook，andinBliss”sabilitytosellit。Heagreed，therefore，totheroyaltyproposition；“ThebestbusinessjudgmentIeverdisplayed“heoftendeclaredinafteryears。Fivepercent。
royaltysoundsrathersmallinthesedaysofmoreliberalcontracts。
ButtheAmericanPublishingCompanysolditsbooksonlybysubscription，andtheagents”commissionsanddeliveryexpensesateheavilyintotheprofits。ClemenswasprobablycorrectinsayingthathispercentagewaslargerthanhadbeenpaidtoanypreviousauthorexceptHoraceGreeley。TheJohnHookermentionedwasthehusbandofHenryWardBeecher”ssister，Isabel。ItwaseasytounderstandtheBeecherfamily”srobustappreciationofMarkTwain。
FromtheofficeofDanSlote，hisroom-mateoftheQuakerCity——
“Dan“oftheInnocents——ClemenswrotehisletterthatclosedtheagreementwithBliss。
ToElishaBliss，Jr。，inHartford：
OfficeofSLOTE&WOODMAN，BlankBookManufacturers，Nos。119-121WilliamSt。
NEWYORK，January27，1868。
Mr。E。Bliss，Jr。
Sec”yAmericanPublishingCo。
HartfordConn。
DEARSIR，YourfavorofJan。25thisreceived，andinreply，IwillsaythatIaccedetoyourseveralpropositions，viz：ThatIfurnishtotheAmericanPublishingCompany，throughyou，withMSSsufficientforavolumeof500to600pages，thesubjecttobetheQuakerCity，thevoyage，descriptionofplaces，&c。，andalsoembodyingthesubstanceoftheletterswrittenbymeduringthattrip，saidMSStobereadyaboutthefirstofAugust，next，ItogivealltheusualandnecessaryattentioninpreparingsaidMSSforthepress，andinpreparationofillustrations，incorrectionofproofs——nousetobemadebymeofthematerialforthisworkinanywaywhichwillconflictwithitsinterest——thebooktobesoldbytheAmericanPublishingCo。，bysubscription——
andforsaidMSandlaboronmypartsaidCompanytopaymeacopyrightof5percent，uponthesubscriptionpriceofthebookforallcopiessold。
Asfurtherproposedbyyou，thisunderstanding，hereinsetforthshallbeconsideredabindingcontractuponallpartiesconcerned，allminordetailstobearrangedbetweenushereafter。
Verytrulyyours，SAM。L。CLEMENS。
PrivateandGeneral。
IwastohavegonetoWashingtontonight，buthaveheldoveraday，toattendadinnergivenbyalotofnewspaperEditorsandliteraryscalliwags，attheWestminsterHotel。Shallgodownto-morrow，ifI
survivethebanquet。
YrstrulySAM。CLEMENS。
MarkTwain，inWashington，wasinlineforpoliticalpreferment：HiswideacquaintanceonthePacificslope，hisnewfameandgrowingpopularity，hispowerfulanddreadedpen，allgavehimspecialdistinctionatthecapital。Fromtimetotimetheofferofoneofficeoranothertemptedhim，buthewisely，orluckily，resisted。
Inhislettershomearepresentedsomeofhisproblems。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandMrs。Moffett，inSt。Louis：
224F。STREETWASHINGTONFeb。6，1868。
MYDEARMOTHERANDSISTER，——FortwomonthstherehavebeensomefiftyapplicationsbeforethegovernmentforthepostmastershipofSanFrancisco，whichistheheaviestconcentrationofpoliticalpoweronthecoastandconsequentlyisapostwhichismuchcoveted。，WhenIfoundthatapersonalfriendofmine，theChiefEditoroftheAltawasanapplicantIsaidIdidn”twantit——Iwouldnottake$10，000ayearoutofafriend”spocket。
Thetwomonthshavepassed，Ihearddaybeforeyesterdaythatanewandalmostunknowncandidatehadsuddenlyturnedupontheinsidetrack，andwastobeappointedatonce。Ididn”tlikethat，andwentafterhiscaseinafinepassion。IhuntedupallourSenatorsandrepresentativesandfoundthathisnamewasactuallytocomefromthePresidentearlyinthemorning。
ThenJudgeFieldsaidifIwantedtheplacehecouldpledgemethePresident”sappointment——andSenatorConnesssaidhewouldguaranteemetheSenate”sconfirmation。Itwasagreattemptation，butitwouldrenderitimpossibletofillmybookcontract，andIhadtodroptheidea。
IhavetospendAugustandSeptemberinHartfordwhichisn”tSanFrancisco。Mr。ConnessoffersmeanychoiceoutoffiveinfluentialCaliforniaoffices。Now，somedayorotherIshallwantanofficeandthen，justmyluck，Ican”tgetit，Isuppose。
Theywanttosendmeabroad，asaConsuloraMinister。IsaidIdidn”twantanyofthepie。GodknowsIammeanenoughandlazyenough，now，withoutbeingaforeignconsul。
SometimeinthecourseofthepresentcenturyIthinktheywillcreateaCommissionerofPatents，andthenIhopetogetaberthforOrion。
Ipublished6or7lettersintheTribunewhileIwasgone，nowIcannotgetthem。IsupposeImusthavethemcopied。
LovetoallSAM。
OrionClemenswasoncemoreacandidateforoffice：NevadahadbecomeaState；withregularlyelectedofficials，andOrionhadsomehowmissedbeingchosen。Hisdayofauthorityhadpassed，andthelawhavingfailedtosupporthim，hewasagainbackathisoldoccupation，settingtypeinSt。Louis。Hewas，asever，fullofdreamsandinventionsthatwouldsomedayleadtofortune。WiththegiftoftheSellersimagination，inheritedbyallthefamily，helackedthedrivingpowerwhichmeansachievement。Moreandmoreastheyearswentbyhewouldleanuponhisbrotherformoralandphysicalsupport。ThechancesforhiminWashingtondonotappeartohavebeenbright。ThepoliticalsituationunderAndrewJohnsonwasnotahappyone。
ToOrionClemens，inSt。Louis：
224F。STREET，WASH。，Feb。21。1868
MYDEARBRO。，——Iamgladyoudonotwanttheclerkship，forthatPatentOfficeisinsuchamuddlethattherewouldbenosecurityforthepermanencyofaplaceinit。Thesameremarkwillapplytoallofficeshere，now，andnodoubtwill，tillthecloseofthepresentadministration。
Anymanwhoholdsaplacehere，now，standspreparedatalltimestovacateit。Youaredoing，now，exactlywhatIwantedyoutodoayearago。
Wechasephantomshalfthedaysofourlives。
Itiswellifwelearnwisdomeventhen，andsavetheotherhalf。
Iaminforit。ImustgoonchasingthemuntilImarry——thenIamdonewithliteratureandallotherbosh，——thatis，literaturewherewithtopleasethegeneralpublic。
Ishallwritetopleasemyself，then。Ihopeyouwillsettypetillyoucompletethatinvention，forsurelygovernmentpapmustbenauseatingfoodforaman——amanwhomGodhasenabledtosawwoodandbeindependent。Itreallyseemedtomeafallingfromgrace，theideaofgoingbacktoSanFrancisconothingbetterthanamerepostmaster，albeitthepublicwouldhavethoughtIcamewithgildedhonors，andingreatglory。
Ionlyretaincorrespondenceenough，now，tomakealivingformyself，andhavediscardedallelse，sothatImayhavetimetospareforthebook。Dratthething，Iwishitweredone，orthatIhadnootherwritingtodo。
Thisistheplacetogetapooropinionofeverybodyin。Thereisn”tonemaninWashington，inciviloffice，whohasthebrainsofAnsonBurlingame——andIsupposeifChinahadnotseizedandsavedhisgreattalentstotheworld，thisgovernmentwouldhavediscardedhimwhenhistimewasup。
TherearemorepitifulintellectsinthisCongress！Oh，geeminy！TherearefewofthemthatIfindpleasantenoughcompanytovisit。
IammostinfernallytiredofWash。andits“attractions。”Tobebusyisaman”sonlyhappiness——andIam——otherwiseIshoulddieYrs。affSAM。
ThesecretarialpositionwithSenatorStewartwasshort-lived。OnecannotimagineMarkTwainasanybody”ssecretary，anddoubtlesstherewaslittletobegainedoneithersidebythearrangement。
Theypartedwithoutfriction，thoughinlateryears，whenStewarthadbecomeoldandirascible，heusedtorecountalistofgrievancesanddeclarethathehadbeenobligedtothreatenviolenceinordertobringMarktoterms；butthiswasbecausetheauthorofRoughingIthadinthatbooktakenlibertieswiththeSenator，totheextentofananecdoteandportraitwhich，thoughcertainlyharmlessenough，hadforsomereasongivendeepoffense。
MarkTwainreallyhadnotimeforsecretarywork。ForonethinghewasassociatedwithJohnSwintoninsupplyingaWashingtonlettertoalistofnewspapers，andthenhewasbusycollectinghisQuakerCityletters，andpreparingthecopyforhisbook。Mattersweregoingwellenough，whentroubledevelopedfromanunexpectedquarter。TheAlta-Californiahadcopyrightedthelettersandproposedtoissuetheminbookform。Therehadbeennocontractwhichwouldpreventthis，andthecorrespondencewhichClemensundertookwiththeAltamanagementledtonothing。Heknewthathehadpowerfulfriendsamongtheowners，ifhecouldreachthempersonally，andhepresentlyconcludedtoreturntoSanFrancisco，makewhatarrangementhecould，andfinishhisbookthere。Itwashisfashiontobeprompt；inhisnextletterwefindhimalreadyontheway。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。Louis：
ATSEA，Sunday，March15，Lat。25。1868
DEARFOLKS，——Ihavenothingtowrite，exceptthatIamwell——thattheweatherisfearfullyhot-thattheHenryChaunceyisamagnificentship——
thatwehavetwelvehundred，passengersonboard-thatIhavetwostaterooms，andsoamnotcrowded——thatIhavemanypleasantfriendshere，andthepeoplearenotsostupidasontheQuakerCity——thatwehadDivineServiceinthemainsaloonat10。30thismorning——thatweexpecttomeettheupwardboundvesselinLatitude23，andthisiswhyIamwritingnow。
WeshallreachAspinwallThursdaymorningat6o”clock，andSanFranciscolessthantwoweekslater。Iworryagreatdealaboutbeingobligedtogowithoutseeingyouall，butitcouldnotbehelped。
DanSlote，mysplendidroom-mateintheQuakerCityandthenoblestmanonearth，willcalltoseeyouwithinamonth。Makehimdinewithyouandspendtheevening。Hishouseismyhomealwaysin。NewYork。
Yrsaffy，SAM。
TheSanFranciscotripprovedsuccessful。OnceonthegroundClemenshadlittledifficultyinconvincingtheAltapublishersthattheyhadreceivedfullvalueinthenewspaperuseoftheletters，andthatthebookrightsremainedwiththeauthor。AlettertoBlissconveysthesituation。
ToElishaBliss，Jr。，inHartford：
SANFRANCISCO，May5，”68。
E。BLISS，Jr。Esq。
Dr。SIR，——TheAltapeople，aftersomehesitation，havegivenmepermissiontousemyprintedletters，andhaveceasedtothinkofpublishingthemthemselvesinbookform。Iamsteadilyatwork，andshallstartEastwiththecompletedManuscript，aboutthemiddleofJune。
Ilecturedhere，onthetrip，theothernight-oversixteenhundreddollarsingoldinthehouse——everyseattakenandpaidforbeforenight。
Yrstruly，MARKTWAIN。
ButhedidnotsailinJune。Hisfriendspersuadedhimtocoverhislecturecircuitoftwoyearsbefore，tellingthestoryofhistravels。Thishedidwithconsiderableprofit，beingeverywherereceivedwithgreathonors。HeendedthistourwithasecondlectureinSanFrancisco，announcedinadrollandcharacteristicfashionwhichdelightedhisPacificadmirers，andinsuredhimacrowdedhouse——[SeeMarkTwain：ABiography，chapxlvi，andAppendixH。]
HisagreementhadbeentodeliverhisMS。aboutAugust1st。
ReturningbytheChauncey，July28th，hewastwodayslaterinHartford，andhadplacidthecopyforthenewbookinBliss”shands。
Itwasbynomeansacompilationofhisnewspaperletters。Hisliteraryvisionwassteadilybroadening。Allofthelettershadbeenradicallyedited，somehadbeenrewritten，someentirelyeliminated。Heprobablythoughtverywellofthebook，anopinionsharedbyBliss，butitisunlikelythateitherofthemrealizedthatitwastobecomeapermanentclassic，andthebestsellingbookoftravelforatleastfiftyyears。
IX。
LETTERS1868-70。COURTSHIP，AND“THEINNOCENTSABROAD“
ThestoryofMarkTwain”scourtshiphasbeenfullytoldinthecompleterstoryofhislife；itneedonlybebrieflysketchedhereasasettingforthelettersofthisperiod。InhisletterofJanuary8thwenotethatheexpectstogotoElmiraforafewdaysassoonashehastime。
Buthedidnothavetime，orperhapsdidnotreceiveapressinginvitationuntilhehadreturnedwithhisMS。fromCalifornia。
Then，throughyoungCharlesLangdon，hisQuakerCityshipmate，hewasinvitedtoElmira。Theinvitationwasgivenforaweek，butthroughasubterfuge——unpremeditated，andcertainlyfairenoughinamatteroflove-hewasenabledtoconsiderablyprolonghisvisit。
Bytheendofhisstayhehadbecomereally“likeoneofthefamily，“thoughcertainlynotyetacceptedassuch。Thefragmentaryletterthatfollowsreflectssomethingofhispleasantsituation。
TheMrs。Fairbanksmentionedinthisletterhadbeensomethingmorethana“shipmother“toMarkTwain。Shewasawomanoffineliterarytaste，andQuakerCitycorrespondentforherhusband”spaper，theClevelandHerald。ShehadgivenMarkTwainsoundadviceastohisletters，whichhehadusuallyreadtoher，andhadinnosmalldegreemodifiedhisearlynaturaltendencytoexaggerationandoutlandishhumor。Heowedhermuch，andneverfailedtopayhertribute。
PartofalettertoMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。Louis：
ELMIRA，N。Y。Aug。26，1868。
DEARFOLKS，——YouseeIamprogressing——thoughslowly。Ishallbehereaweekyetmaybetwo——forCharlieLangdoncannotgetawayuntilhisfather”schiefbusinessmanreturnsfromajourney——andavisittoMrs。
Fairbanks，atCleveland，wouldlosehalfitspleasureifCharliewerenotalong。MoultonofSt。Louisoughttobetheretoo。WethreewereMrs。
F”s“cubs，“intheQuakerCity。ShetookgoodcarethatwewereatchurchregularlyonSundays；atthe8-bellsprayermeetingeverynight；
andshekeptourbuttonssewedonandourclothinginorder——andinawordwasasbusyandconsiderate，andaswatchfuloverherfamilyofuncouthandunrulycubs，andaspatientandaslong-suffering，withal，asanaturalmother。Soweexpect……
Aug。25th。
Didn”tfinishyesterday。Somethingcalledmeaway。Iammostcomfortablysituatedhere。ThisisthepleasantestfamilyIeverknew。
Ionlyhaveonetrouble，andthatistheygivemetoomuchthoughtandtoomuchtimeandinventiontotheobjectofmakingmyvisitpassdelightfully。Itneeds——
JusthowandwhenhelefttheLangdonhomethelettersdonotrecord。EarlythatfallhebeganalectureengagementwithJamesRedpath，proprietoroftheBostonLyceumBureau，andhisengagementswereoftenwithinreachofElmira。HehadastandinginvitationnowtotheLangdonhome，andtheendoftheweekoftenfoundhimthere。
YetwhenatlastheproposedforthehandofLivyLangdontheacceptancewasbynomeansprompt。HewasafavoriteintheLangdonhousehold，buthissuitabilityasahusbandforthefrailandgentledaughterwasquestioned。
However，hewascarryingeverything，justthen，bystorm。Thelargesthouseseverywherewerecrowdedtohearhim。Papersspokeofhimasthecomingmanoftheage，peoplecametotheirdoorstoseehimpass。Thereisbutoneletterofthisperiod，butitgivesusthepicture。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。Louis：
CLEVELAND，Nov。20，1868。
DEARFOLKS，——IplayedagainsttheEasternfavorite，FannyKemble，inPittsburgh，lastnight。Shehad200inherhouse，andIhadupwardsof1，500。Alltheseatsweresoldinadrivingrainstorm，3daysago，
asreservedseatsat25centsextra，eventhoseinthesecondandthirdtiers——andwhenthelastseatwasgonetheboxofficehadnotbeenopenmorethan2hours。WhenIreachedthetheatretheywereturningpeopleawayandthehousewascrammed，150or200stoodup，alltheevening。
IgotoElmiratonight。Iamsimplylecturingforsocieties，at$100apop。
YrsSAM。
Itwouldbedifficultforanyfamilytorefuserelationshipwithonewhosestarwassoclearlyascending，especiallywheneveryinclinationwasinhisfavor，andtheyoungladyherselfencouragedhissuit。Aprovisionalengagementwaspresentlymade，butitwasnotfinallyratifieduntilFebruaryofthefollowingyear。Theninaletterfromoneofhislecturepointshetellshispeoplesomethingofhishappiness。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。Louis：
LOCKPORT，N。Y。Feb。27，1868。
DEARFOLKS，——Ienclose$20forMa。IthoughtIwasgettingaheadofherlittleassessmentsof$35amonth，butfindIamfallingbehindwithherinstead，andhavelethergowithoutmoney。Well，Ididnotmeantodoit。Butyouseewhenpeoplehavebeengettingreadyformonthsinaquietwaytogetmarried，theyareboundtogrowstingy，andgotosavingupmoneyagainstthatawfuldaywhenitissuretobeneeded。IamparticularlyanxioustoplacemyselfinapositionwhereIcancarryonmymarriedlifeingoodshapeonmyownhook，becauseIhavepaddledmyowncanoesolongthatIcouldnotbesatisfiednowtoletanybodyhelpme——andmyproposedfather-in-lawisnaturallysoliberalthatitwouldbejustlikehimtowanttogiveusastartinlife。ButIdon”twantitthatway。Icanstartmyself。Idon”twantanyhelp。Icanrunthisinstitutionwithoutanyoutsideassistance，andIshallhaveawifewhowillstandbymelikeasoldierthroughthickandthin，andnevercomplain。Sheisonlyalittlebody，butshehasn”therpeerinChristendom。Igaveheronlyaplaingoldengagementring，whenfashionimperativelydemandsatwo-hundreddollardiamondone，andtoldheritwastypicalofherfuturelot——namely，thatshewouldhavetoflourishonsubstantialsratherthanluxuries。ButyouseeIknowthegirl——shedon”tcareanythingaboutluxuries。Sheisasplendidgirl。Shespendsnomoneybutherusualyear”sallowance，andshespendsnearlyeverycentofthatonotherpeople。Shewillbeagoodsensiblelittlewife，withoutanyairsabouther。Idon”tmakeintercessionforherbeforehandandaskyoutoloveher，forthereisn”tanyuseinthat——youcouldn”thelpitifyouweretotry。
Iwarnyouthatwhoevercomeswithinthefatalinfluenceofherbeautifulnatureisherwillingslaveforevermore。Itakemyaffidavitonthatstatement。Herfatherandmotherandbrotherembraceandpetherconstantly，preciselyasifshewereasweetheart，insteadofabloodrelation。Shehasunlimitedpoweroverherfather，andyetsheneverusesitexcepttomakehimhelppeoplewhostandinneedofhelp……
ButifIgetfairlystartedonthesubjectofmybride，Inevershallgetthrough——andsoIwillquitrighthere。IwenttoElmiraalittleoveraweekago，andstaidfourdaysandthenhadtogotoNewYorkonbusiness……
NofurtherlettershavebeenpreserveduntilJune，whenheisinElmiraandwithhisfianceereadingfinalproofsonthenewbook。
Theywerehavinganidyllicgoodtime，ofcourse，butitwasausefultime，too，forOliviaLangdonhadakeenandrefinedliteraryinstinct，andtheInnocentsAbroad，aswellasMarkTwain”sotherbooks，arebetterto-dayforherinfluence。
IthasbeenstatedthatMarkTwainlovedthelectureplatform，butfromhislettersweseethatevenatthisearlydate，whenhewasattheheightofhisfirstgreatvogueasapublicentertainer，hehadnoloveforplatformlife。Undoubtedlyherejoicedinthebriefperiodswhenhewasactuallybeforehisaudienceandcouldplayuponitwithhismastertouch，butthedrearyintermissionsoftravelandbrokensleepweretooheavyapricetopay。
ToMrs。JaneClemensandfamily，inSt。LouisELMIRA，June4。1868
DEARFOLKS，——Livysendsyouherloveandlovinggoodwishes，andIsendyoumine。Thelast3chaptersofthebookcametonight——weshallreaditinthemorningandthenthankgoodness，wearedone。
IntwelvemonthsorratherIbelieveitisfourteen，Ihaveearnedjusteightydollarsbymypen——twolittlemagazinesquibsandonenewspaperletter——altogethertheidlest，laziest14monthsIeverspentinmylife。
Andinthattimemyabsoluteandnecessaryexpenseshavebeenscorchinglyheavy——forIhavenowlessthanthreethousandsixhundreddollarsinbankoutoftheeightorninethousandIhavemadeduringthosemonths，lecturing。Myexpensesweresomethingfrightfulduringthewinter。
Ifeelashamedofmyidleness，andyetIhavehadreallynoinclinationtodoanythingbutcourtLivy。Ihaven”tanyotherinclinationyet。
Ihavedeterminednottoworkashardtraveling，anymore，asIdidlastwinter，andsoIhaveresolvednottolectureoutsideofthe6NewEnglandStatesnextwinter。MyWesterncoursewouldeasilyamountto$10，000，butIwouldrathermake2or3thousandinNewEnglandthansubmitagaintosomuchwearingtravel。IhavepromisedtotalktennightsforathousanddollarsintheStateofNewYork，providedtheplacesareclosetogether。ButafterallifIgetlocatedinanewspaperinawaytosuitme，inthemeantime，Idon”twanttolectureatallnextwinter，andprobablyshan”t。Imostcordiallyhatethelecturefield。
Andafterall，IshuddertothinkthatImaynevergetoutofit。
InallconversationswithGough，andAnnaDickinson，Nasby，OliverWendellHolmes，WendellPhillipsandtheotheroldstagers，Icouldnotobservethattheyeverexpectedorhopedtogetoutofthebusiness。
Idon”twanttogetweddedtoitastheyare。Livythinkswecanliveonaverymoderatesumandthatwe”llnotneedtolecture。Iknowverywellthatshecanliveonasmallallowance，butIamnotsosureaboutmyself。Ican”tscareherbyremindingherthatherfather”sfamilyexpensesarefortythousanddollarsayear，becausesheproducesthedocumentsatoncetoshowthatpreciouslittleofthisoutlayisonheraccount。ButImustnotcommencewritingaboutLivy，elseIshallneverstop。Thereisn”tsuchanotherlittlepieceofperfectionintheworldassheis。
Mytimeisbecomesoshort，now，thatIdoubtifIgettoCaliforniathissummer。IfImanagetobuyintoapaper，IthinkIwillvisityouawhileandnotgotoCal。atall。IshallknowsomethingaboutitaftermynexttriptoHartford。Weallgothereonthel0th——thewholefamily——toattendawedding，onthe17th。IamofferedaninterestinaClevelandpaperwhichwouldpayme$2，300to$2，500ayear，andasalaryaddedof$3，000。Thesalaryisfairenough，buttheinterestisnotlargeenough，andsoImustlookalittlefurther。TheClevelandfolkssaytheycanbeinducedtodoalittlebetterbyme，andurgemetocomeoutandtalkbusiness。Butitdon”tstrikeme——Ifeellittleornoinclinationtogo。
IbelieveIhaven”tanythingelsetowrite，anditisbed-time。IwanttowritetoOrion，butIkeepputtingitoff——Ikeepputtingeverythingoff。DayafterdayLivyandIaretogetheralldaylonganduntil10atnight，andthenIfeeldreadfullysleepy。IfOrionwillbearwithmeandforgivemeIwillsquareupwithhimyet。IwillevenlethimkissLivy。
MylovetoMollieandAnnieandSammieandall。Good-bye。
Affectionately，SAM。
Itiscurious，withhistendencytooptimismandgeneralexpansionoffutures，thathesaysnothingofthepossiblesalesofthenewbook，orofhisexpectationsinthatline。ItwasissuedinJuly，andbyJunethepublishersmusthavehadpromisingadvanceordersfromtheircanvassers；butapparentlyheincludesnoneofthesechickensinhisfinancialforecast。Evenwhenthebookhadbeenoutafullmonth，andwasbeingshippedattherateofseveralhundredsaday，hemakesnoreferencetoitinalettertohissister，otherthantoaskifshehasnotreceivedacopy。This，however，wasaMarkTwainpeculiarity。Writingwashistrade；thereturnsfromitseldomexcitedhim。Itwasonlywhenhedriftedintostrangeanduntriedfieldsthathebegantochaserainbows，toblowiridescentbubbles，andcountunminedgold。
ToMrs。Moffett，inSt。Louis：
BUFFALO，Aug。20，1869。
MYDEARSISTER，——Ihaveonlytimetowritealine。IgotyourletterthismorningandmailedittoLivy。ShewillbeexpectingmetonightandIamsorrytodisappointherso，butthenIcouldn”twellgetaway。I
willgonextSaturday。
IhavebundledupLivy”spictureandwilltryandrecollecttomailittomorrow。ItisaporcelaintypeandIthinkyouwilllikeit。
IamsorryInevergottoSt。Louis，becauseImaybetoobusytogo，foralongtime。ButIhavebeenbusyallthetimeandSt。Louisisclearoutoftheway，andremotefromtheworldandallordinaryroutesoftravel。YoumustnotplacetoomuchweightuponthisideaofmovingthecapitalfromWashington。St。LouisisinsomerespectsabetterplaceforitthanWashington，thoughthereisn”tmorethanatoss-upbetweenthetwoafterall。Oneisdeadandtheotherinatrance。Washingtonisinthecentreofpopulationandbusiness，whileSt。Louisisfarremovedfromboth。Andyouknowthereisnogeographicalcentreanymore。Therailroadsandtelegraphhavedoneawaywithallthat。Itisnolongeramatterofsufficientimportancetobegravelyconsideredbythinkingmen。Theonlycentres，now，arenarroweddowntothoseofintelligence，capitalandpopulation。AsIsaidbeforeWashingtonisthenearesttothoseandyoudon”thavetopaddleacrossariveronferryboatsofapatternpopularinthedarkagestogettoit，norhavetoclamberupvilelypavedhillsinrascallyomnibusesalongwithaherdofallsortsofpeopleafteryouarethere。Secondly，theremovalofthecapitalisoneofthoseold，regular，reliabledodgesthatarethebread-andmeatofbackcountrycongressmen。Itisagitatedeveryyear。Italwayshasbeen，italwayswillbe；Itisnotnewinanyrespect。Thirdly。TheCapitolhascost$40，000，000alreadyandlacksagooddealofbeingfinished，yet。TherearesinglestonesintheTreasurybuildingandagoodmanyofthemthatcosttwenty-seventhousanddollarsapiece——andmillionswerespentintheconstructionofthatandthePatentOfficeandtheothergreatgovernmentbuildings。TomovetoSt。Louis，thecountrymustthrowawayahundredmillionsofcapitalinvestedinthosebuildings，andgorighttoworktospendahundredmillionsonnewbuildingsinSt。Louis。ShallweeverhaveaCongress，amajorityofwhosemembersarehopelesslyinsane？Probablynot。Butitispossible-
unquestionablysuchathingispossible。OnlyIdon”tbelieveitwillhappeninourtime；andIamsatisfiedthecapitalwillnotbemoveduntilitdoeshappen。ButifSt。Louiswoulddonatethegroundandthebuildings，itwouldbeadifferentmatter。No，Pamela，Idon”tseeanygoodreasontobelieveyouorIwilleverseethecapitalmoved。
Ihavetwiceinstructedthepublisherstosendyouabook——itwasthefirstthingIdid——longbeforetheproofswerefinished。Writemeifitisnotyetdone。
Livysayswemusthaveyouallatourmarriage，andIsaywecan”t。
ItwillbeatChristmasorNewYears，whensuchatripacrossthecountrywouldbeequivalenttomurder&arson&everythingelse——Anditwouldcostfivehundreddollars——anamountofmoneyshedon”tknowthevalueofnow，butwillbeforeayearisgone。Shegrievesoverit，poorlittlerascal，butitcan”tbehelped。Shemustwaitawhile，tillIamfirmlyonmylegs，&thensheshallseeyou。Shesaysherfatherandmotherwillinviteyoujustassoonastheweddingdateisdefinitelyfixed，anyway——&shethinksthat”sboundtosettleit。Buttheice&snow，&
thelonghardjourney，&theinjudiciousnessoflayingoutanymoneyexceptwhatweareobligedtopartwithwhilewearesomuchindebt，settlesthecasedifferently。Foritisadebt……Mr。Langdonisjustasgoodasboundfor$25，000forme，andhasalreadyadvancedhalfofitincash。IwroteandaskedwhetherIhadbettersendhimmynote，oradue-bill，orhowhewouldprefertohavetheindebtednessmadeofrecordandheansweredeveryothertopicintheletterpleasantlybutneverrepliedtothatatall。Still，Ishallgivemynoteintothehandsofhisbusinessagenthere，andpayhimtheinterestasitfallsdue。Wemust“goslow。”WearenotintheClevelandHerald。Weareahundredthousandtimesbetteroff，butthereisn”tsomuchmoneyinit。
Remaindermissing。
Inspiteoftheimmediatesuccessofhisbook——asuccessthelikeofwhichhadscarcelybeenknowninAmerica-MarkTwainheldhimselftobe，notaliteraryman，butajournalist：Hehadnoplansforanotherbook；asanewspaperownerandeditorheexpected，withhismarriage，tosettledownanddevotetherestofhislifetojournalism。ThepaperwastheBuffaloExpress；hisinterestinitwasone-third——thepurchaseprice，twenty-fivethousanddollars，ofwhichhehadpaidapart，JervisLangdon，hisfuturefather-in-law，havingfurnishedcashandsecurityfortheremainder。HewasalreadyinpossessioninAugust，buthewasnotregularlyinBuffalothatautumn，forhehadagreedwithRedpathtodeliverhisQuakerCitylecture，andthetourwouldnotenduntilashorttimebeforehiswedding-day，February2，1870。
Ournextletterhardlybelongsinthiscollection；asitwasdoubtlesswrittenwithatleastthepossibilityofpublicationinview。Butitistooamusing，toocharacteristicofMarkTwain，tobeomitted。ItwassentinresponsetoaninvitationfromtheNewYorkSocietyofCaliforniaPioneerstoattendabanquetgiveninNewYorkCity，October13，1869，andwas，ofcourse，readtotheassembleddiners。
TotheNewYorkSocietyofCaliforniaPioneers，inNewYorkCity：
ELMIRA，October11，1869。
GENTLEMEN，——CircumstancesrenderitoutofmypowertotakeadvantageoftheinvitationextendedtomethroughMr。Simonton，andbepresentatyourdinneratNewYork。Iregretthisverymuch，forthereareseveralamongyouwhomIwouldhavearighttojoinhandswithonthescoreofoldfriendship，andIsupposeIwouldhaveasublimegeneralrighttoshakehandswiththerestofyouonthescoreofkinshipinCaliforniaupsanddownsinsearchoffortune。
IfIweretotellsomeofmyexperience，youwouldrecognizeCaliforniabloodinme；Ifancytheold，oldstorywouldsoundfamiliar，nodoubt。
Ihavetheusualstockofreminiscences。Forinstance：IwenttoEsmeraldaearly。Ipurchasedlargelyinthe“WideWest，““Winnemucca，“
andotherfineclaims，andwasverywealthy。Ifaredsumptuouslyonbreadwhenflourwas$200abarrelandhadbeansfordinnereverySunday，whennonebutbloatedaristocratscouldaffordsuchgrandeur。ButI
finishedbyfeedingbatteriesinaquartzmillat$15aweek，andwishingIwasabatterymyselfandhadsomebodytofeedme。MyclaimsinEsmeraldaarethereyet。IsupposeIcouldbepersuadedtosell。
IwenttoHumboldtDistrictwhenitwasnew；Ibecamelargelyinterestedinthe“AlbaNueva“andotherclaimswithgorgeousnames，andwasrichagain——inprospect。Iownedavastminingpropertythere。Iwouldnothavesoldoutforlessthan$400，000atthattime。ButIwillnow。
FinallyIwalkedhome——200milespartlyforexercise，andpartlybecausestagefarewasexpensive。NextIentereduponanaffluentcareerinVirginiaCity，andbyajudiciousinvestmentoflaborandthecapitaloffriends，becametheownerofaboutalltheworthlesswildcatminestherewereinthatpartofthecountry。Assessmentsdidthebusinessformethere。Therewereahundredandseventeenassessmentstoonedividend，andtheproportionofincometooutlaywasalittleagainstme。Myfinancialbarometerwentdownto32Fahrenheit，andthesubscriberwasfrozenout。
Itookupextensionsonthemainlead-extensionsthatreachedtoBritishAmerica，inonedirection，andtotheIsthmusofPanamaintheother——andIverilybelieveIwouldhavebeenarichmanifIhadeverfoundthoseinfernalextensions。ButIdidn”t。IrantunnelstillItappedtheArcticOcean，andIsunkshaftstillIbrokethroughtheroofofperdition；butthoseextensionsturnedupmissingeverytime。Iamwillingtosellallthatpropertyandthrowintheimprovements。
Perhapsyourememberthatcelebrated“NorthOphir？“Iboughtthatmine。
Itwasveryrichinpuresilver。Youcouldtakeitoutinlumpsaslargeasafilbert。Butwhenitwasdiscoveredthatthoselumpsweremeltedhalfdollars，andhardlymeltedatthat，apainfulcaseof“salting“wasapparent，andtheundersignedadjournedtothepoorhouseagain。
Ipaidassessmentson“HaleandNorcross“untiltheysoldmeout，andI
hadtotakeinwashingforaliving——andthenextmonththatinfamousstockwentupto$7，000afoot。
IownmillionsandmillionsoffeetofaffluentsilverleadsinNevada——
infacttheentireundercrustofthatcountrynearly，andifCongresswouldmovethatStateoffmypropertysothatIcouldgetatit，Iwouldbewealthyyet。Butno，thereshesquats——andhereamI。Failinghealthpersuadesmetosell。Ifyouknowofanyonedesiringapermanentinvestment，Icanfurnishonethatwillhavethevirtueofbeingeternal。
IhavebeenthroughtheCaliforniamill，withallits“dips，spursandangles，variationsandsinuosities。”Ihaveworkedthereatallthedifferenttradesandprofessionsknowntothecatalogues。Ihavebeeneverything，fromanewspapereditordowntoacow-catcheronalocomotive，andIamencouragedtobelievethatiftherehadbeenafewmoreoccupationstoexperimenton，Imighthavemadeadazzlingsuccessatlast，andfoundoutwhatmysteriousdesignsProvidencehadincreatingme。
ButyouperceivethatalthoughIamnotaPioneer，IhavehadasufficientlyvariegatedtimeofittoenablemetotalkPioneerlikeanative，andfeellikeaForty-Niner。Therefore，Icordiallywelcomeyoutoyourold-rememberedhomesandyourlongdesertedfiresides，andclosethisscreedwiththesincerehopethatyourvisitherewillbeahappyone，andnotembitteredbythesorrowfulsurprisesthatabsenceandlapseofyearsarewonttoprepareforwanderers；surpriseswhichcomeintheformofoldfriendsmissedfromtheirplaces；silencewherefamiliarvoicesshouldbe；theyounggrownold；changeanddecayeverywhere；homeadelusionandadisappointment；strangersathearthstone；sorrowwheregladnesswas；tearsforlaughter；themelancholy-pompofdeathwherethegraceoflifehasbeen！
WithallgoodwishesfortheReturnedProdigals，andregretsthatI
cannotpartakeofasmallpieceofthefattedcalfrareandnogravy，
Iamyours，cordially，MARKTWAIN。
Inthenextletterwefindhiminthemidstofasortofconfusionofaffairs，which，inoneformoranother，wouldfollowhimthroughouttherestofhislife。Itwasthepriceofhissuccessandpopularity，combinedwithhisgeneralgiftforbeingconcernedwithanumberofthings，andanaturaltendencyforgettingintohotwater，whichbecomesmoreevidentastheyearsandletterspassinreview。OrionClemens，inhisattempttosavemoneyforthegovernment，hademployedmethodsandagentswhichtheofficialsatWashingtondidnotunderstand，andrefusedtorecognize。Insteadofwinningthecreditandcommendationhehadexpected，henowfoundhimselfpursuedbyclaimsofconsiderableproportions。The“land“
referredtoistheTennesseetract，theheritagewhichJohnClemenshadprovidedforhischildren。MarkTwainhadlongsincelostfaithinit，andwasnotonlywilling，buteagertorenouncehisrights。
“Nasby“is，ofcourse，DavidR。Locke，oftheToledoBlade，whosepopularityatthistimebothasalecturerandwriterwasverygreat。Clemenshadmethimhereandthereontheirplatformtour，andtheyhadbecomegoodfriends。Clemens，infact，hadonceproposedtoNasbyajointtriptothePacificcoast。
TheCaliforniaideahadbeengivenup，butbothMarkTwainandNasbyfoundengagementsenough，andsufficientprofiteastoftheMississippi。Bostonwasoftentheirheadquartersthatwinter”69
and”70，andtheyweremuchtogether。“JoshBillings，“anotherofRedpath”slecturers，waslikewiseoftentobefoundintheLyceumoffices。ThereisaphotographofMarkTwain，Nasby，andJoshBillingstogether。
Clemensalso，thatwinter，metWilliamDeanHowells，thenintheearlydaysofhisassociationwiththeAtlanticMonthly。Thetwomen，sowidelydifferent，becamefirmfriendsatsight，anditwastoHowellsintheyearstocomethatMarkTwainwouldwritemoreletters，andmorecharacteristicletters，thantoanyotherlivingman。Howellshadfavorablyreviewed”TheInnocentsAbroad”andafterthefirstmomentoftheirintroductionhadpassedClemenssaid：“WhenIreadthatreviewofyoursIfeltlikethewomanwhosaidthatshewassogladthatherbabyhadcomewhite。”ItwasnotthesortofthingthatHowellswouldhavesaid，butitwasthesortofthingthathecouldunderstandandappreciatefromMarkTwain。
IncompanywithNasbyClemens，thatseason，alsometOliverWendellHolmes。LaterhehadsentHolmesacopyofhisbookandreceivedapleasantlyappreciativereply。“Ialwayslike，“wroteHolmes，“tohearwhatoneofmyfellowcountrymen，whoisnotaHebrewscholar，orareaderofhiero-glyphics，butagood-humoredtravelerwithapairofsharp，twinklingYankeeinthebroadersenseeyesinhishead，hastosayaboutthethingsthatlearnedtravelersoftenmakeunintelligible，andsentimentalonesridiculousorabsurd……I
hopeyourbooksellerswillsellahundredthousandcopiesofyourtravels。”Awishthatwasrealizedinduetime，thoughitisdoubtfulifDoctorHolmesoranyoneelseatthemomentbelievedthatabookofthatnatureandpriceitwas$3。50acopywouldeverreachsuchasale。
ToMrs。Moffett，inSt。Louis：
BOSTON，Nov。9，1869。
MYDEARSISTER，——Threeorfourlettersjustreceivedfromhome。MyfirstimpulsewastosendOrionacheckonmypublisherforthemoneyhewants，butasobersecondthoughtsuggestedthatifhehasnotdefraudedthegovernmentoutofmoney，whypay，simplybecausethegovernmentchoosestoconsiderhiminitsdebt？No：Rightisright。Theideadon”tsuitme。LethimwritetheTreasurythestateofthecase，andtellthemhehasnomoney。Iftheymakehissuretiespay，thenIwillmakethesuretieswhole，butIwon”tpayacentofanunjustclaim。Youtalkofdisgrace。Tomyminditwouldbejustasdisgracefultoallowone”sselftobebulliedintopayingthatwhichisunjust。
MathinksitishardthatOrion”sshareofthelandshouldbesweptawayjustasitisrightonthepointasitalwayshasbeenofbecomingvaluable。Letherresteasyonthatpoint。Thisletterishisampleauthoritytosellmyshareofthelandimmediatelyandappropriatetheproceeds——givingnoaccounttome，butrepayingtheamounttoMafirst，orincaseofherdeath，toyouoryourheirs，wheneverinthefutureheshallbeabletodoit。Now，Iwantnohesitationinthismatter。I
renouncemyownershipfromthisdate，forthispurpose，provideditissoldjustassuddenlyashecansellit。
Inthenextplace——Mr。Langdonisold，andistryinghardtowithdrawfrombusinessandseekrepose。Iwillnotburdenhimwithapurchase——
butIwillaskhimtotakefullpossessionofacoaltractofthelandwithoutpayingacent，simplyconditioningthatheshallmineandthrowthecoalintomarketathisowncost，andpaytoyouandallofyouwhathethinksisafairportionoftheprofitsaccruing——youcandoasyoupleasewiththerestoftheland。Therefore，sendmetoElmira，
informationaboutthecoaldepositssoframedthathecancomprehendthematterandcanintelligentlyinstructanagenthowtofinditandgotowork。
TomorrownightIappearforthefirsttimebeforeaBostonaudience——
4，000critics——andonthesuccessofthismatterdependsmyfuturesuccessinNewEngland。ButIamnotdistressed。Nasbyisinthesameboat。Tonightdecidesthefateofhisbrand-newlecture。Hehasjustleftmyroom——beenreadinghislecturetome——wasgreatlydepressed。I
haveconvincedhimthathehaslittletofear。
IgetjustaboutfivehundredmoreapplicationstolecturethanIcanpossiblyfill——andintheWesttheysay“Chargeallyouplease，butcome。”Ishan”tgoWestatall。Istoplecturingthe22dofJanuary，sure。ButIshalltalkeverynightuptothattime。Theyfloodmewithhigh-pricedinvitationstowriteformagazinesandpapers，andpublishersbesiegemetowritebooks。Can”tdoanyofthesethings。
Iamtwenty-twothousanddollarsindebt，andshallearnthemoneyandpayitwithintwoyears——andthereforeIamnotspendinganymoneyexceptwhenitisnecessary。
Ihadmylifeinsuredfor$10，000yesterdaywhateverbecameofMr。
Moffett”slifeinsurance？“forthebenefitofmynaturalheirs“——thesamebeingmymother，forLivywouldn”tclaimit，youmaybesureofthat。Thishastaken$200outofmypocketwhichIwasgoingtosendtoMa。ButIwillsendhersome，soon。TellOriontokeepastiffupperlip——whentheworstcomestotheworstIwillcomeforward。MusttalkinProvidence，R。I。，tonight。Mustleavenow。IthankMollieandOrionandtherestforyourletters，butyouseehowIampushed——oughttohave6clerks。
Affectionately，SAM。
BytheendofJanuary，1870morethanthirtythousandcopiesoftheInnocentshadbeensold，andinalettertohispublishertheauthorexpressedhissatisfaction。
ToElishaBliss，inHartford：
ELMIRA，Jan。28”70。
FRIENDBLISS，……Yes，Iamsatisfiedwiththewayyouarerunningthebook。Youarerunningitinstaving，tip-top，first-classstyle。I
neverwanderintoanycornerofthecountrybutIfindthatanagenthasbeentherebeforeme，andmanyofthatcommunityhavereadthebook。AndonanaverageabouttenpeopleadaycomeandhuntmeuptothankmeandtellmeI”mabenefactor！Iguessthisisapartoftheprogrammewedidn”texpectinthefirstplace。
Ithinkyouarerushingthisbookinamannertobeproudof；andyouwillmakethefinestsuccessofitthathaseverbeenmadewithasubscriptionbook，Ibelieve。Whatwithadvertising，establishingagencies，&c。，youhavegotanenormouslotofmachineryunderwayandhardatworkinawonderfullyshortspaceoftime。Itiseasytosee，whenonetravelsaround，thatonemustbeendowedwithadealofgenuinegeneralshipinordertomaneuvreapublicationwhoselineofbattlestretchesfromendtoendofagreatcontinent，andwhoseforagersandskirmishersinvesteveryhamletandbesiegeeveryvillagehiddenawayinallthevastspacebetween。
I”llbackyouagainstanypublisherinAmerica，Bliss——orelsewhere。
YrsaseverCLEMENS。