Chapter 61 Summary

Mark Twain is asked by the New York Herald to write a complimentary summary of the great pleasure excursion. He sits down and puts great thought into it, deciding to be honest, but complimenting. He tells the readers to ignore the romantic delusion that everyone on board were young, happy couples who danced all day and night. He corrects this notion by letting everyone know that the average age for the passengers is fifty. Then he tells them that they conducted themselves like true, proud Americans no matter where they were, even though they were not received well in some countries. He boasts about the reception of the Russian Emperor and scoffs at the French, who couldn't understand their own language when he and the other Americans spoke it.

He describes all events rather pleasantly, but is a bit offended that he receives...