28 July 1884 • Elmira, N.Y. (MS, in pencil: NN-BGC, UCCL 02585)
Yes, we want an advance-agent of course—I forgot it.
Circular received. You want to say nothing special about original sketches written specially for this series, for that is too decided a confession of weakness. It confesses that we know we can’t draw just on our names alone, but have got to add something extraordinary to persuade the people to come.
I may possibly get up one or two original things for the series, but I shan’t want the fact mentioned that they are new. I think it dangerous policy to let the public suppose we need any attraction but just our names alone.
With the corrections which I have marked in the proof I think the circular is good & all right.
Goodness knows I would gladly run 20 weeks, & I did my best to persuade the madam, but did not succeed. So that idea is killed. She almost said I might read again next year if I didn’t read too long this time, so I thought I better not press the matter too far.
MS, in pencil, NN-BGC.
MicroPUL, reel 2.