Explanatory Notes        Apparatus Notes (Ⓐ)

Source: Harvard University, Houghton Library, Cambridge, Mass ([MH-H])

Cue: "One of these days, some where in the future, I may"

Source format: "MS"

Letter type: "[standard letter]"

Notes:

Last modified:

Revision History: RHH

Published on MTPO: 2022

Print Publication:

This edited text supersedes the previously published text
MTPDocEd
To Augustin Daly
4 May 1876 • Hartford, Conn. (MS: MH-H, UCCL 01330)

slc

Hartford May 4.
My Dear Daly:1explanatory note

One of these days, some where in the future, I may surprise & grieve you by reminding you of that invitation, & proposing to revive it; but I mean to have the modesty to serve a decent apprenticeship before I make such a lofty venture.

I never tried the stage before; but by rewritingⒶemendation Peter Spyk, I managed to change the language & the character to a degree that enabled me to talk the one & represent the other after a fashion—but I am not equal to the metropolitan boards yet.

Ys sincerely
Samℓ. L. Clemens

But mind, I thank you for the compliment of the invitation, anyway.2explanatory note

letter docketed: Samℓ L. Clemens | rule

Textual Commentary
Source text(s):

MS, Theatre Collection, MH-H, shelf mark bMS Thr 32.

Previous Publication:

Daly 1917, 146.

Explanatory Notes
1 

Clemens answered the following letter (CU-MARK):

UCLC32341
no orders for goods will be acknowledged unless signed by the manager.
the manager will not be responsible for any goods whatever delivered without his written order.
fifth avenue theatre managers office
augustin daly, proprietor & manager.
new york May 2 1876
My dear Twain,

Why don’t you come down here & play “Peter Spyk” some Saturday night for one of my “Benefit” occasions.

Would you— Will you—?—

Very Sincerely
Augustin Daly

On Daly’s envelope Clemens noted: “Augustin Daly asks me to play Peter Spyk in N.Y.”

2 

Daly replied, on the same Fifth Avenue Theatre letterhead (CU-MARK):

UCLC32347
no orders for goods will be acknowledged unless signed by the manager.
the manager will not be responsible for any goods whatever delivered without his written order.
fifth avenue theatre managers office
augustin daly, proprietor & manager.
new york May 6 1876
My dear Clemmens,

My invitation was seriously & earnestly meant—and I am ready to repeat it whenever you are willing to let me. Not for one night but for many.

Very Sincerely
Augustin Daly

On the envelope of this letter Clemens merely noted: “5th Ave. Theatre.”

Emendations and Textual Notes
Ⓐ  rewriting ●  re- | writing
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