11 April 1883 • Hartford, Conn. (Sales catalog: Robert F. Batchelder, unknown date, no. 106, lot 130, UCCL 12608)
130. TWAIN, MARK. (SAMUEL L. CLEMENS). American Author. Autograph Letter Signed, 2 separate pages, 4to, Hartford, April 11, 1883, to Mrs. Rollins. Twain writes: “Ah, but I’m not afraid of you, after seeing how kindly your pen is. Dear me, mild as I am, & mildness is one of the most pronounced passions of my character, I couldn’t be as gentle as you are over those French phrases. To my mind, the woman who says ‘mille fois’ when it is her privilege to say ‘shucks!’ & the man who says it when it is his privilege to say ‘damnation!’ or some other word that’s got some sand in it, is a thoroughly despicable person, & I would tear him out of a book in a minute & make a fire with him.”
Sales catalog, Robert F. Batchelder, unknown date, no. 106, lot 130.