| But the truth is, that when a Library expels
a book of mine and leaves an unexpurgated Bible lying around where unprotected
youth and age can get hold of it, the deep unconscious irony of it delights
me and doesn't anger me. - Letter to Harriet Whitmore, 7 February 1907 |
 AI image created by Barbara Schmidt |
| There's nobody for me to attack in this matter even with soft and gentle
ridicule--and I shouldn't ever think of using a grown up weapon in this
kind of a nursery. Above all, I couldn't venture to attack the clergymen
whom you mention, for I have their habits and live in the same glass house
which they are occupying. I am always reading immoral books on the sly,
and then selfishly trying to prevent other people from having the same wicked
good time. - Letter to Denver Post dated Aug. 14, 1902; also published in NY Tribune Aug. 22, 1902 (regarding banning of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the Denver Library.) |
| Dear Charley, -- The Committee of the Public Library of Concord, Mass,
have given us a rattling tip-top puff which will go into every paper in
the country. They have expelled Huck from their library as "trash and
suitable only for the slums." That will sell 25,000 copies for us sure. - letter to Charles Webster, 18 March 1885 |
Illustration
by Schrodter from 1898 edition of ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
from the Dave Thomson collection
Illustration
by "Dwig"
from the Dave Thomson
collection
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