He had promised Bliss some contributions for his new paper, and in June he sent three sketches. He reconsidered his resolution not to lecture again, and closed with Redpath for the coming season. He found himself in a lecture-writing fever. He instructed Redpath not to make engagements for him to lecture in churches. I never made a success of a lecture in a church yet.
People are afraid to laugh in a church.
Redpath was having difficulties in arranging a circuit to suit him. Clemens had prejudices against certain towns and localities, prejudices that were likely to change overnight. People who have no mind can easily be stead fast and firm, but when a man is loaded down to the guards with it, as I am, every heavy sea of foreboding or inclination, maybe of indolence, shifts the cargo. Now about the West this week, I am willing that you shall retain all the Western engagements. But what I shall want next week is still with God.