New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-11
MARK TWAIN as d LECTURER.


Abont a year and half ago, communication
untitled Toe Smiley and his Jumping Frog" with
the hitherto unknown signature OF ." Mark waln'
anneored in The Saturday Press Of this city. The
mama though new was not remarkable, but the
stvle of the letter waS sngularly fresh, original
and full of character as to attract prompt and uni
versal attention among the readers of light humorous
literature. Mark Twain Is Immediately entered as
a candidate for high position among writer's Oh us
class and passages from his first contribution 10 u0
metropolitan press became proverbs IN the nou'n'
of his admirers No reputation was eFei nT1o
RAPIDLY won The only doubt appeared G 10 n
whether he could satisfactorily SUSTAIN IT. SuO SUE
.'t a.rsoodrct;ons Loweyer-mOst Of them repro
duced from California peIl0dlcaIs-Conhith 9 ond
good opinion so suddenly NOuehsaltIu LII h;s
eInndsptly INDICATED the applause with WHICH LIE
%ost assav had been received. In his case as ~ lat
Of many other American humorous writer's ~ was
onlv tbe first step that cost Since that tme nc mas
aft sd easIIy-let us hope not too easily-oyer hs
Ills writings being comparatively new to the pub
lie and his position having been so recently estaD-
ished 10 might perhaps, have been doubted whether
his nane would at present be sufficient to attract an
audience of any magnitude to witness his 9eDnII as
lecturer But the proof of the general goodwin IN
which he is already held was manifested last Mon
day evening by his brilliant reception at the cooper
Institute. The hall was crowded BEYOND an tx
pectatiOn. Not q seat was vacant, ana the alsIes
were filled with attentive listeners Inc ehahce
offering of 1.-THE Jumping Frog" carelessly cast
returned to him in the most agreeable form which
Young aspirant for popular fame could desire Inc
wind that was sOwed with probably very niue calcu-
lation as to its effect upon It's future prospects, now
enables him to reap quite respectable tempest OF
announcement and cOrdiality. His greeting was
such to inspire the utmost ease and n
every way justified the favor bestowed upon NM
No other lecturer of course excepting Artemns Naru
las so thoroughly succeeded in exciting the mlri-
full curiosity and compelling the laughter OF his
hearers. I'm, c,4l T.
lands" was treated mainly from comic stand point,
although scraps Of practical information and Occa-
sional picturesque descriptions of scenery nd na!-
raj phenomena peculiar to that region were a
peared TO be to employ the various facts ne ha9
gathered as bases upon which 10 pulla
we're furthermore embellished with a multitude
of fantastic anecdotes and personal "reminiscences
The frequent incongruities of the narTauon-eV-
IDENTIFY intentional-m9de it all the more dlYerung,
and the artfce of its partial incOherence was SO
cleverly contrived to intensity the amusement OF
the audience while leaving them for the most part IN
ignorance of the means employed. AS to the manner
OF the speaker, il is difficult to write explicitly III
was certainly peculiar and original. Perhaps no
better idea of it could be conveyed than by SAYING
it ia in almost every respect the exact opposite
TO that of the late Artemus Ward. IL suited tAat
admirable lecturers humor TO exhibit nervous
quckness and a vivacity which always colnInunl-
Gated itself 10 those who surrounded him, and his
best points" were made by the dToll afectatlon OF
complete INCONSISTENCIES with which ne uttered the
most telling tests. Mark Twains delivery, on the
other hand is deliberate and measured 70 the last
degree He lounges comfortably around his plat
form, seldom referring TO notes, and seeks TO
establish q sort of buttOn-hOle relationship with
his audience at the earliest possible moment lie is
even willing to exchange condolences of the most lit
eraf nature Having made an accidental error IN
figures. last Monday evening, at which there was
formed what he had said" and was indisposed to
proceed until his curiosity should be gratihed. In
stead of manifesting indifference to his own good
Jokes, he appears to relish them as heartily
as anybody-a characteristic, by the bye,
which also belongs to the most eminent
reader" now known to the British public. The
only obvious precOncerted effect" which he employs
is momentary hesitation or break in his narration
before touching the climax of an anecdote OF aWitu-
csm But his style is his own and needs to be seen
to be understood. second opportunity for this We
learn is presently to be afforded, 10 which, when 1T
approaches, we shall invite particular attention.