Clemens, Samuel L.

Typed letter signed ("S. L.C. ('M. T.')"), one page on Charles L. Webster letterhead, New York, 15 September 1893, to Mr. Ellsworth, in which Samuel L. Clemens agrees to interview Mark Twain. Together with: Addressed envelope "this is for Mr. Ellsworth, which is a connection | of the 'Century Magazine' | In Union Square pretty high up but |  [...] an elevator, N. Y. City"; left margin of the envelope extended with minor loss of text, envelope browned, pencil notes and ciphers on verso.

"Mr. Clemens has a better opinion of Mr. Twain, than anyone I know of, and this is likely to afford a pleasant and complimentary interview." Clemens's dual personality shines through in this humorous letter to a Mr. Ellsworth at The Century Magazine. Here Clemens has "secured the services of [himself] to interview Mr. Mark Twain." In spite of the fact that his notoriety in no way equals that of Mark Twain, Clemens flatters himself on his literary finesse and intimate acquaintance with his alter-ego: "Mr. Clemens is obscure but has considerable literary talent. He also has this advantage over the others, whom you mention, that he intimately knows the sore places in Mr. Twain's history, and can avoid them. He is also intimately acquainted with the prejudices and delicacies of Mr. Clemen's [sic] composition, and will know how to slur over them, and in urgent cases ignore them altogether. Mr. Clemens has a better opinion of Mr. Twain, than anyone I know of, and this is likely to afford a pleasant and complimentary interview."