The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-12-13
/. Mark Twain Lectures on the Islands.

: Sam. Clemens has recently discovered some new
features in the case of US islanders on which to ex-
ercise his peculiar talent for ridicule. We are moi
informed as to what the prevailing frenzy was
about in London concerning these islands which
called Mark Twain once more to the front, nor does
the account of his lecture in any way explain it.
On the 7th of October he thus introduces himself to
the editor of the London Standard:
n SIR In view of the prevailing frenzy concerning
the Sandwich Islands, and the inf1amed desire of the
public to acquire information concerning them, |
have thought it well to tarry yet another week in
England, and deliver q lecture upon this absorbing
subject. And lest it be thought unbecoming in me,
a stranger, to come to the public rescue at such a
time, instead of leaving to ADLER hands a matter Of
so much moment, l desire to explain that l do it
with the best of motives and the most honorable in
~tentions. l do it because | am convinced that no
one can allay this unwholesome excitement as effect
ually as l can and to allay it, and allay it as
quickly as possible, is surely the one thing that is
absolutely necessary at this j~unct1re. L feel and
know that l am equal to this task, for / can allay
any kind Of an excitement by l%ecturing upon it. /
have saved many communities in this way. | have
always been able to paralyze the public interest in
any topic l chose to take hold Of and elucidate with
all my strength.
Hoping that this explanation will show that if /
am seeming to intrude, / am at least doing it from q
high impulse.
L dLl, SlE, JOuI OOCulSnI ~ fdnly
MARX TWAIN.
The London Times of October 14th, thus speaks
of the &" lecture +"
Last evening "Mark Twain" CAIr. S. L. Glenn
ens), the well-known American humorist, delivered
a lecture on Our Fellow Savages of the Sandwich
Islands, at the Hanover Square Rooms. There was
q very large audience, including many dramatic aud
literary celebrities, both English and American,
among whom Mr.. Barnum, the Yankee +" show
man, now on a visit to this country, was especially
noticed. The lecturer, upon making his appearance
upon the platform, was warmly greeted. He stated
that il was proposed that evening to deliver, and on
the four following evenings and on Saturday after
noon next, to repeat, a lecture upon the Sandwich
Islands, the habits and customs of the natives, the
character Of the country, and so forth. He should
ask their permission to introduce to them "Mr.
Mark Twain,'' a gentleman whose varied learning,
historical accuracy, veneration for the truth, and de-
votion to science were only equaled by his personal
comeliness, his grandeur Of character, and native
sweetness of disposition. 1t was of himself that he
gave that vague and modest description ; and, find
ing that it was the custom Of this country to intro
duce a lecturer, and not wishing, though he disliked
1t, TO break through that custom, he had chosen TO
make the introduction himself with the object Of
getting in all the facts. In view Of the liberality Of
England, who had sent to America all the lecturers
that she could spare, he had felt it nothing but right
and fair that the United States, in however imperfect
a way, should reciprocate the compliment, and he
had, therefore, voluntarily thrown himself into the
breach. He was present that evening under those
circumstances, but not in his own Insignificant indi-
vidual capacity, but as a representative and expo
nent of the gratitude Of America, and so firmly was
he impressed with the Importance of his diplomatic
mission that 10 make amends for past neglect he
should insist on sending to Great Britain in future
fourteen Yankee lecturers for every one who left
these shores.