Mark Twain's Speeches, Part 1

<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"></SPAN></p> <br/> <h2> PUDD&rsquo;NHEAD WILSON DRAMATIZED </h2> <p>When Mr. Clemens arrived from Europe in 1895 one of the first<br/> things he did was to see the dramatization of Pudd&rsquo;nhead<br/> Wilson. The audience becoming aware of the fact that Mr.<br/> Clemens was in the house called upon him for a speech.<br/></p> <p>Never in my life have I been able to make a speech without preparation, and I assure you that this position in which I find myself is one totally unexpected.</p> <p>I have been hemmed in all day by William Dean Howells and other frivolous persons, and I have been talking about everything in the world except that of which speeches are constructed. Then, too, seven days on the water is not conducive to speech-making. I will only say that I congratulate Mr. Mayhew; he has certainly made a delightful play out of my rubbish. His is a charming gift. Confidentially I have always had an idea that I was well equipped to write plays, but I have never encountered a manager who has agreed with me.</p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />