“I have some idea of publishing a little book of my California sketches and burlesques.” An early plan that became his first book of prose · Letter to A. Roman, January 8, 1866 Ambition Writing
“All of which ought to make the volume sell.” A wry aside on controversy boosting sales · Letter to A. Roman, January 8, 1866 Commerce Humour
“I repeat my answer of yesterday, that the only terms upon which I will continue in the editorial charge of the 'Overland' are those which I offered two days ago, which I have never changed and do not intend to change.” Firm resolve in a business negotiation · Letter to J. H. Carmany, June 9, 1869 Integrity Principle
“Say to Frankie that of course I am satisfied with his engagement with Barrett. He must not let it slip in any case.” Fatherly encouragement about a son's acting engagement · Postscript to letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, September 5, 1884 Advice Family
“It will be a trifle more expensive than I thought, but we will make the best of it.” A resigned, cheerful note on unexpected cost · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, September 5, 1884 Contentment Money
“I preferred the German Line because the steamers are uniformly good.” A small practical preference in travel planning · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, September 5, 1884 Choice Travel
“His only advantage in coming will be to see the best English and French acting, and profit by it, in America.” A pragmatic silver lining for his son's disappointment · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, September 16, 1884 Consolation Occupation
“I do not think there is the slightest chance of an opening for him in England.” A frank assessment of his son's theatrical prospects · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, September 16, 1884 Honesty Occupation
“It has worried me not a little.” Plain admission of anxiety over his son's cancelled trip · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, September 16, 1884 Anxiety Family
“If it were a question of their health or business, it would be different. I should say come at once.” Weighing urgency against convenience for his sons' visit · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, July 31, 1884 Family Judgement
“They need not make any expense of preparation and can bring but few clothes, and only their best.” Practical fatherly instructions for his sons' journey · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, July 31, 1884 Care Family
“At present, owing to the cholera panic, the quarantine regulations make the Continent almost inaccessible and entirely unpleasant.” A note on travel disrupted by a public health scare · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, July 31, 1884 Circumstance Travel
“I want to take them to the Scotch Highlands, to London, to Stratford, to Paris, to the Rhine.” An eager itinerary planned for his sons' visit · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, July 31, 1884 Family Travel
“I want to give them a clear five weeks here, and on the Continent.” Planning a generous holiday for his sons · Letter to Anna Harte, Glasgow, July 31, 1884 Family Travel
“All that I saw of the road between Baltimore and Pittsburgh was beautiful.” A traveller's appreciation of the passing landscape · Letter to Anna Harte, Pittsburgh, January 9, 1872 Beauty Travel
“How you would have enjoyed the trip with me!” Wishing his wife could share his travels · Letter to Anna Harte, Pittsburgh, January 9, 1872 Love Travel
“You will be sorry to hear that I felt dreadfully lonely on my Washington trip.” Candid confession of loneliness on the road · Letter to Anna Harte, Pittsburgh, January 9, 1872 Absence Solitude
“I am not very well and sleep and eat but little.” A plain admission of poor health while travelling · Letter to Anna Harte, Boston, September 6, 1871 Body Health
“There was a thoughtfulness over everything, as if the whole landscape had been surprised into reflection over some subtle premonition of the coming winter.” An evocative sense of seasonal foreboding in nature · Letter to Anna Harte, Boston, September 6, 1871 Nature Reflection
“There was very little wind — no fog. The sea even was sad and silent.” A quiet, melancholy seaside description · Letter to Anna Harte, Boston, September 6, 1871 Nature Sadness
“The New England coast here is much finer than at Newport — the rocks are more picturesque.” A comparative note of admiration for New England scenery · Letter to Anna Harte, Boston, September 6, 1871 Beauty Nature
“I felt much better, however, and, although I shall not get off to New York before to-morrow, I shall stay with Clark to-night.” A traveller's small update on his plans · Letter to his wife, Boston, Monday p.m. Family Travel
“I confess I was considerably surprised by your note, as you had given me no intimation, when I asked for my account in Boston a few days ago, of the position you intended to assume.” Measured indignation over a business surprise · Letter to James R. Osgood, Morristown, New Jersey, December 12, 1873 Communication Honesty
“A good play ought to give me certainly three thousand dollars a year for a year or two.” His hope that playwriting would secure his income · Letter concerning his play and consular duties Ambition Money
