MARK TWAIN'S PROPOSED VISIT TO AUSTRALIA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 3433, 31 December 1885, Page 3

MARK TWAIN'S PROPOSED VISIT TO AUSTRALIA.

Mark Twain has written a letter to tho member of the Melbourne Argus staff who accompanied Mr Deakin on bis irrigation tour in America, in which he replies to a suggestion which had been made to bim that h* should make a lecturing tour in Australia. The letter, which is dttcd October 11. and which is published in th* Artrus, la as follows:—" I wish I were able lopromise myself a look on an Australian platform, just to eojoy seeing the prophecies made good; but indeed I don't see any prospect of it. I find I was only beguiling myself with the fats* notion that I liked the platform in order to keep up my spirits whilst I was chained to It last winter. It was, indeed, begnikment—delusion pur* and simple—and it all vanished, and passed utterly and permanently away within two months after my emancipation. I dread the platform now, as not even a novics is capable of dreading it, and I am well convinced that I shall never stand upon one again until 1 do so with the sheriff at my side with bis warrant in bra hand. I haven't by any mean* given up the hope r f seeing Australia s»m* day, but when I come I am cntnnjg innocently, but not to rob. I have relißquished th* latter project entirely. Henceforth, even in my own country, I shall lead in many respects a reformed Kiev—Sacsrely yours, S. Lv Cixassss.