Of course Mr. Twain’s forte is humour, often of the broadest kind, yet never going beyond the line; but he must also be credited with possessing an extraordinary power of describing the wonders of those Western regions in picturesque language. He narrates with facility the splendours of mountain, valley, and lake scenery, conjuring up panorama after panorama matchless for its wealth of beauty. Evidently a very close observer of nature, Mr. Twain is also a nature-worshipper, for he dilates with what, for him, is enthusiasm upon the scenic charms which abound in California. This merit the audience are too apt to overlook in their eagerness to hear “something funny,” of which there is indeed a sufficiency. Few men can tell a story as well as Mr. Twain, who has an inexhaustible stock of “yarns,” and is never tired of spinning them. . . . There is nothing so broadly comic to be heard in London as “Roughing it on the Silver Frontier,” and Mr. Twain ought to have crowded houses every night, as no doubt he will. His reception last night was exceedingly flattering, and the large concert-room was full. (“Mr. Mark Twain’s New Lecture,” 9 Dec 73, 2, clipping in Scrapbook 12:37, CU-MARK)