Mark Twain letter up for auction

Fine Books Magazine (USA) published as news release from a London, UK, auction house which included mention of a Mark Twain letter which was a highlight of an upcoming auction.  It quoted a derogatory statement that he made in the letter about Mary Baker Eddy.  The following response was unpublished, but elucidates the admiration that Twain also had for Eddy. Dear Editor

Autographs and Memorabilia to be Auctioned at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury AuctionsOctober 24, 2016

Fine Books and Collections October 2016 - In this issue you carried a notice from Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions in London announcing their December Autographs and Memorabilia auction which included a “highlight” of a letter Mark Twain had written about Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science.The article quoted a none too flattering excerpt which on its own could inaccurately suggest this was the American author’s sole view of this 19th century theologian.The fact remains, however, that Twain was ambiguous in his attitude towards her. In his book Christian Science he wrote: “...she is easily the most interesting person on the planet, and, in several ways, as easily the most extraordinary woman that was ever born upon it.”Robin Harragin HusseyChristian Science Committee on Publication, LondonDistrict Manager for United Kingdom and Ireland