MARK TWAIN IN THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC CHRONICLE
1865
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This item has not been previously republished elsewhere. It is included in this collection because of its potential to be the work of Clemens and is deserving of further research and consideration.]
_____
FIE, "K. V - V.," FIE!
We know of no more lamentable spectacle than is furnished when a writer of respectable ability and culture, deliberately stoops to uncongenial depths of coarseness, and condescends to employ weapons which he must secretly loathe, in the discharge of his duties as a "literary advocate." Writers for the press often say things in the hurry of composition, or the heat of controversy, of which in other moments, they are heartily ashamed. But there is a certain something, akin to cold and coarse brutality, in the reference made by "K. V.-V.," the Leader's dramatic critic, to the assault made by Thomas Maguire upon Mr. Macdougall, which we never should have expected from that source. We shall take the liberty, without mincing matters, of characterizing the language referred to as disgraceful. "K. V.-V.," sank very, very far below his appropriate level, when he allowed himself to pen such a sentence as, "The same day Maguire attacked Macdougall and, from all accounts, whipped him easily." Comment upon this is quite superfluous. The taste that can approve such a style of comment upon an occurrence of the character of the one referred to, must be too thoroughly perverted to be at all influenced by the suggestion of delicacy. "From all accounts he whipped him easily." If Maguire, or any other pugilist or bully should take umbrage at any of the strictures of "K. V.-V." and assault, beat and maim him, it would be all right, according to the refined and gentlemanly standard of "K. V.-V." provided the ruffian "whipped him easily."
_____
[transcribed from microfilm]
