Mark Twain in Utah

[Genevieve Swann]

Mark Twain's comments after a visit in Salt Lake City.

Concerning polygamy: "With gushing self-sufficiency of youth I was feverish to plunge in headlong and acheive a great reform here-until I saw the Mormon women. Then I was touched. My heart was wiser than my head. It warmed toward these poor, ungainly and pathetically "homely" creatures, and as I turned to hide the moisture in my eyes, I said, "No- the man that marries one of them has done an act of Christian charity which entitles him to the kindly applause of mankind, not their harsh censure- and the man that marries sixty of them has done a deed of open-handed generosity so sublime that nations should stand uncovered in his presence and worship in silence."
I assume uncovered means with hats off. It is no wonder I may be the most attractive woman in Utah. This may be humourous but it is truly Twains writing.

[Lisbeth]

He also said that the Bible proves that polygamy is wrong. "Why right here it says no man can serve two masters."

[tekla]

Mark Twain wrote a lot of things, some of which were true.

[Alyssa M.]

Roughing It is a pretty darn funny travelogue. Buck Fanshaw's Funeral, which comes from the book, is one of my favorite Twain stories.

He was on a sorrowful mission, now, and his face was the picture of woe. Being admitted to the presence he sat down before the clergyman, placed his fire-hat on an unfinished manuscript sermon under the minister's nose, took from it a red silk handkerchief, wiped his brow and heaved a sigh of dismal impressiveness, explanatory of his business.

He choked, and even shed tears; but with an effort he mastered his voice and said in lugubrious tones:

"Are you the duck that runs the gospel-mill next door?"

[tekla]

Oh gosh, he was about the funniest guy in the USA, which is not a small feat, but he ranks up there with Lenny Bruce, the Smothers Brothers, and, in particular, George Carlin, who was very Mark Twain in his material.