Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Sales catalogue 641: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![Thackeray (William Makepeace)—continued. ‘‘] have received a most extraordinary and painful letter from Mrs. Carpenter, wh. coming from a relative and an old friend has deeply annoyed and astonished me. As Mrs. Carpenter’s letter contains a direct and cruel imputation on my courage it 1s from her husband and not from the lady directly that I am compelled to demand a remedy. ‘Mrs. Carpenter plainly states that some persons (whom [I stigmatize as malignant slanderers) have stated that I was afraid of you. Has my conduct ever given occasion for such a calumny? Have you ever threatened me personally, and if you have, am I or am I not bigger than you, I ask? And when did I betray any signs of terror? gale ‘Under such a charge there are two ways open to me to show that I am not the poltroon wh. my enemies have declared me to be. ‘“1. We may have a meeting, in wh. case I refer you to my friend. .. . “2. I can present myself at your house; shake your hand heartily without the least tremor, and prove by an easy and unconcerned behaviour during the course of the dinner, that I am ready to face you with a carving knife or any other weapon. ‘* There is a cruel allusion in Mrs. Carpenter’s letter (wh. perhaps you did not see but for wh. as a husband you are answerable) an allusion to Mutton. She asks satirically if I can eat it? If this sarcastic query refers to a report that I and Mr. Frederick Mullett Evans ate a shoulder of mutton between us with baked potatoes and, I believe, onion sauce, I can only say that he had the largest half.’ Kite. 233 THACKERAY (WILLIAM MAKEPEACE). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED. 1 page, 8vo. Onslow Square, N.D. &1 5s An invitation to dine. 234 TOLSTOI (LEO, 1828-1910). Novelist and Dramatist. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (IN RUSSIAN) TO PRINCE DIMITRI DIMITREJEWITSCH. 14 pp., 8vo. N.D. &3 15s Regarding a financial transaction he wishes his correspondent to carry out for his (Tolstoi’s) sister. 235 ‘TWAIN (MARK,” SAMUEL L. CLEMENS, 1835-1910). Author of ‘Tom Sawyer,” etc. AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED (IN PENCIL) WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM OF AUTOGRAPHS OWNED BY JAMES H. SHULTS OF NEW YORK, SIGNED BY TWAIN WITH BOTH FORMS OF HIS SIGNATURE “ SAML. L. CLEMENS ” AND “MARK TWAIN.” £15 15s The Album is comprised chiefly of signatures of Shults’ former classmates at the State Normal School, Cortland, New York. The Note by Mark Twain reads :— ‘“it isn’t egotism that makes me choose a leaf so near the beginning, but the lack of it in others—that have got ahead of me & captured all the leaves toward the back of the book.’’ 236 “TWAIN (MARK,” SAMUEL L. CLEMENS). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED. 1 page, 8vo. Hartford, 17th March, 1890. £5 5s Regarding a lecture for English working men. . at I tried to write the things which I should like to say to your work- ing men, but the attempt was a failure. I wasted a good deal of manuscript & then the interruptions flowed in on me & washed the possibilities all away. ‘“ However, I shall keep my theme in mind, & one of these years it will frame itself to suit itself & by that time you will have another lecture-course going & I can apply for a chance.’’ Etc.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b31805644_0078.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
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