The quaint American humourist, “Mark Twain,” whose facetious lecture on “Our Fellow Savages of the Sandwich Islands” was received with such distinguished favour on its first recital in October, has resumed his pleasant discourses, and a numerous audience last night welcomed him back from a rapid trip across the Atlantic, which has had apparently no other effect than that of freshening the vivacity of the lecturer. To the odd fancies, amusing anecdotes, sly satirical comments, and graphic descriptions of the entertainer, the assemblage listened with the same interest and sustained enjoyment which were so strongly manifested by the auditory on the previous occasions, and at the end “Mark Twain” was the recipient of one of those spontaneous tributes of hearty applause only given to those who have really honestly earned the thanks of an audience for an hour’s genuine gratification. (“Hanover-square Rooms,” 2 Dec 73, clipping in Scrapbook 12:33, CU-MARK)

It is a merit of the lecturer’s that while ... he is able to make his hearers very merry, he is competent to hold them well-nigh spell-bound as he describes in picturesque phraseology the thousand and one scenic beauties of the Sandwich Islands. Perhaps, as a rule, the audience are too apt to expect the lecturer to be “funny” the whole of the evening, instead of crediting him with a desire to be instructive as well as amusing. Of his ability to do both there is no question, as was abundantly proved last night. (“Mr. ‘Mark Twain,’” 2 Dec 73, 6, clipping in Scrapbook 12:33, CU-MARK)