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. The reaction of drama critic "K. V-V" described in this item is most likely a response to the Chronicle article about him that appeared two days earlier on December 11.]
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PODSNAPPIAN
The Leader's "K. V-V." is developing Podsnappian intellectual characteristics, with something of the Jack Bunsby vein occasionally cropping out. When he gets cornered and used up, and knows not what next to say, he draws himself up in the stiffest style of Podsnap majesty, and looking as owlish as Captain Cuttle's favorite oracle, cries: "Boyish!" Which done, he seems to consider the enemy annihilated, and his own intellectual prowess made manifest to the world.
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[transcribed from microfilm]
