Mark Twain Classics

A Speech by Samuel Clemens

ADDRESS AT THE ANNUAL “LADIES’ DAY,” PAPYRUS CLUB, BOSTON
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,—I am perfectly astonished—a-s-t-o-n-i-s-h-e-d—ladies and gentlemen—astonished at the way history repeats itself. I find myself situated at this moment exactly and precisely as I was once before, years ago, to a jot, to a tittle—to a very hair. There isn’t a [...]

A Speech by Samuel Clemens
James Whitcomb Riley and Edgar Wilson Nye (Bill Nye) were togive readings in Tremont Temple, Boston, November, 1888.  Mr.Clemens was induced to introduce Messrs. Riley and Nye.  His appearance on the platform was a surprise to the audience, and when they recognized him there was a tremendous demonstration.
I am very glad [...]

A Speech by Samuel Clemens

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED IN BOSTON, NOVEMBER, 1886
Mr. Clemens introduced Mr. Stanley.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, if any should ask, Why is it that you are here as introducer of the lecturer? I should answer that I happened to be around and was asked to perform this function. I was quite willing to [...]

A Speech by Mark Twain

DELIVERED AT THE DINNER GIVEN BY THE PUBLISHERS OF “THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY” TO OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, IN HONOR OF HIS SEVENTIETH BIRTHDAY, AUGUST 29, 1879
I would have travelled a much greater distance than I have come to witness the paying of honors to Doctor Holmes; for my feeling toward him has [...]

An address delivered in 1877, and a review of it twenty-nine years later. The original speech was delivered at a dinner given by the publishers of The Atlantic Monthly in honor of the seventieth anniversary of the birth of John Greenleaf Whittier, at the Hotel Brunswick, Boston, December 17, 1877.