Steve makes a very good point.

But it's sometimes hard to tell where satire ends and genuine prejudice 
begins. Unsophisticated readers have this problem with Huckleberry Finn, but 
a similar problem arises when reading Twain's public writings versus his 
letters and annotations in his books. Twain, of course, was well-aware that 
others would read his library annotations, and he also knew that his letters 
would often be published, with or without his permission.

On the subject of Indians, I can give two examples from late in his life, 
the first being some annotations in a book from his library; the second a 
letter he wrote to an author, knowing that it would probably be used to puff 
the author's book.

In Natalie Curtis Burlin's THE INDIANS' BOOK... NY: Harper, 1907, Twain 
wrote on the inside front cover: "A book made & illustrated/ by Indians./ SL 
Clemens/ 1907/ November/ 21 Fifth Ave."  The book was a beautiful 
production, full of lore, music, and narratives by American Indians, 
celebrating their culture and art. It is a book still admired and widely 
collected today. This book, published by Harper Brothers, was probably sent 
to Twain by the publisher, who regularly sent him their publications at that 
period. Opposite page 98, above the portrait of a Pawnee chief or warrior in 
full ceremonial dress with bear-claw necklace and a striking feathered and 
big-beaked head-dress, Twain wrote "My, but he is wickedly handsome!"  The 
book is 574pp. but Twain only opened pp. i-x, 32-45, 99-114, and 243-46, 
mostly sections on western tribes. The condition of the book and his sparse 
comments would seem to indicate he took little interest in the fascinating 
contents, and I'll leave it others to decide if his annotations are snarky, 
condescending, or admiring..

But another book about Indians certainly captured his interest in 1909. 
Oscar G Wall's RECOLLECTIONS OF THE SIOUX MASSACRE provoked a letter of 
endorsement from Twain dated Nov 8, 1909, that reads: "Mr O G Wall-- Dear 
Sir: I find your history of the Great Massacre blood-curdlingly & most 
pathetically interesting. I am able to [the word "repeat" crossed out] 
endorse General Hubbard's compliment & highly commend the literary 
excellence of the book. Very truly yours SL. Clemens."   This letter was 
reprinted in facsimile in blood red ink as an advertising flyer for Wall's 
book. Judging from the wording, I'd assume Twain knew or suspected it might 
be used this way --although he probably didn't know they'd use red ink. I 
have not read a text of General Hubbard's "compliment."

Whatever evolutions took place in Twain's thinking about other races and 
nationalities, I'd suppose from the above (admittedly slight) evidence that 
even in his very last years Twain was more interested in reading stories of 
Indian depredations than acquainting himself with the positive aspects of 
their literature, art, music, and culture. But I'd love to see more 
evidence, and learn otherwise.

Kevin
@
Mac Donnell Rare Books
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Austin TX 78730
512-345-4139
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