MTPDocEd
slc
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Ⓐ
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.2
letter docketed: Samℓ L. Clemens |
rule
Explanatory Notes
1
Clemens answered the following letter (CU-MARK):
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):
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
Copyright © 2007–2026 The Regents of the University of California. Full copyright statement: https://www.marktwainproject.org/copyright.html
MS, Theatre Collection, MH-H, shelf mark bMS Thr 32.
Daly 1917, 146.