On 6/3/23 06:45, John R. Pascal wrote: > Hi Scott, > I teach a year-long high school course on Mark Twain and would share this PDF with my students. > Please send it to me with my grateful thanks, > John Pascal > Seton Hall Preparatory School. > >> On Jun 2, 2023, at 2:36 PM, DM Sataari<[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> >> Yes, I absolutely need this! Please send me the PDF, and thank you! 😍 >> >> On Fri, Jun 2, 2023 at 2:33 PM Scott Holmes<[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> >>> Recently I have been researching the railroads and venues involved with >>> Mark Twain's American Vandals Abroad tour. The lists of his lectures >>> mention the stop in Lansing, Michigan's Mead's Hall but there is nothing >>> on where this venue was located nor anything about it. So, I inquired >>> of the Capital District Libraries about its location and one Heidi >>> Butler replied with a wealth of information on locations and name >>> changes but their library did not contain anything about the lecture >>> itself. Of her own volition she asked the Library of Michigan about >>> it. They had an archive of /The State Republican, /a weekly paper that >>> published a review of Twain's lecture. Following is my attempt to >>> transcribe the review. If anyone wants a copy of the pdf Heidi sent me, >>> let me know and I will forward a copy. >>> >>> >>> *The Lectures of Mark Twain* >>> >>> Last Wednesday evening Mead’s Hall was well filled to hear Mark Twain >>> discourse on the American Vandal abroad. He is a young man, little over >>> thirty years of age, and looks as though he had never been a drawing >>> room pet, but had been used to the rough and tumble, the ups and downs >>> of life. His wit was eminently dry, and the force of his manner, which >>> is natural, and not affected, made it still more striking. He talked >>> easily, walking up and down the stage at a pace that slowly marked the >>> time of his words. His delightful description of Venice by moonlight, >>> the Sphinx, the Acropolis at Athens, were as fine specimens of word >>> painting as can be drawn by any other lecturer. Each of these telling >>> passages would be followed by some humorous comment that would convulse >>> the house with laughter. The lecture was intended to amuse, as well as >>> to instruct, and the object was fully attained. A lecturer tells his own >>> jokes best, and we will not repeat them. Those who heard appreciated the >>> fun, and those who failed to hear, had no business to be somewhere else. >>> The Vandal, who yet disgraces the national name in the classic cities of >>> the old world, was drawn to the life. >>> >>> The real name of Mark Twain is S. L. Clemens, and he was for several >>> years city editor of a paper in Virginia City, Nevada, and first >>> attracted attention of the reading public by contributions to California >>> papers. He was a special correspondent of the New York /Tribune, /and >>> everything he writes adds to his reputation as an American humorist. His >>> manner is judged by many to be affected on the stage, which is untrue, >>> his manner being the same in personal conversation, and an infirmity >>> which, as he says, was honestly inherited. >>> >>> As a humorist lecturer we have no hesitation in giving Mark Twain a >>> decided preference over the renowned Artemus Ward. If Nasby, by the will >>> of Lowell, becomes his successor as a humorist, we think Twain is >>> destined to more than make good the place formerly filled by Ward. He is >>> sure to provoke the hearty laugh that shakes the cobwebs from the ribs. >>> And as laughter is no sin, if it takes the proper time to come in, we >>> hope Twain will make his calling and election sure, and continue to >>> amuse as well as instruct, the grave, austere, American nation. >>> >>> -- >>> /Unaffiliated Geographer and Twain aficionado/ >>> -- /Unaffiliated Geographer and Twain aficionado/