26 JULY 1919, Page 14

MARK TWAIN AND BROWNING.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

Sia,—The reference in your paper of June 14th to the value of reading aloud as a means of better understanding what are still to some of us the obscurities of Browning reminds me of a story Mark Twain told me. He became a great Browningite, and had a class to whom he read the poet once a week. He told me that one Saturday he tried the experiment of reading each second line instead of reading right along. When the session was over some of the devotees thanked him for such an expres- sive and satisfactory rendering.—I am, Sir, &c., C. H. C.