Letters to James Redpath, in Boston:
ELMIRA, June 27, 1871.
DEAR RED,—Wrote another lecture—a third one-today. It is the one I am going to deliver. I think I shall call it “Reminiscences of Some Pleasant Characters Whom I Have Met,” (or should the “whom” be left out?) It covers my whole acquaintance—kings, lunatics, idiots and all. Suppose you give the item a start in the Boston papers. If I write fifty lectures I shall only choose one and talk that one only.
No sir: Don't you put that scarecrow (portrait) from the Galaxy in, I won't stand that nightmare.
Yours,
MARK.
ELMIRA, July 10, 1871.
DEAR REDPATH,—I never made a success of a lecture delivered in a church
yet. People are afraid to laugh in a church. They can't be made to do it
in any possible way.
Success to Fall's carbuncle and many happy returns.
Yours,
MARK.