This chapter is important in terms of Twain's dealing with culture shock and his early perception of what was at one time referred to as "the Ugly American". Of particular interest is Twain's description of the dungeons of the heroes of Dumas. On a lighter side is a description of dining in France and the friendship between and elephant and a cat.

Initially I thought this was just a humorous sketch but then I found some interesting connections with the current OWS (Occupy Wall Street) movement. This was first published the Buffalo Express, of which Mark Twain was a part owner. It was published again in the Internal Revenue Record of Customs Journal, April 9, 1870 (according to www.twainquotes.com/19610409.html)

This chapter is apparently not a product of any letter posted to the Daily Alta California. It covers the celebration of the 4th of July on board the Quaker City, landing in Marseilles and his first dinner in France. They were rather disappointed in that their hostess spoke English. Of special interest is speculation by The Oracle on atmospheric physics and his dislike of poetry.

An interesting chapter of Twains impressions of Moorish customs. This was originally published as Letter Number Four in the Daily Alta California on September 1, 1867. An image of this column is provided on this page. McKeithan (1958) remarks that "Twain tried to improve the diction" of the original letter for the text here in chapter 9 of the book. Here we have a discussion of various means of exacting punishment employed by the Moors.

Twain wanted to find a land totally foreign to his experience. He found that in Tangier.  McKeithan (1958) remarks that this letter is used in the book almost entirely as originally written.

Along with Chapter 5, this chapter describes Twain's visit to the Azores. Attached is an image from the first letter of the journey to the Daily Alta California. A note in Traveling with the Innocents Abroad by Daniel Morley McKeithan, mentions this was published August 2, 1867. The masthead of the image copy I have has the date as August 25.

In this chapter we learn all about ship time and how to chase the moon. The Innocents Abroad was written using Twain's journal as well as his correspondences to the Daily Alta California as well as other journals, including the New York Tribune. This chapter, chapter 5 and chapter 6 are covered by two separate letters that overlap to some extent. One to each of these two journals. Included with this page is a copy of the letter sent to the New York Tribune as it contains a description of Mr Blucher's dinner on Fayal.

With this chapter we hear of the many diversions offered passengers: Horse billiards (shuffleboard), journal writing, Magic Lantern shows, dancing on a rolling deck, mock trials and charades. What I think to be the most interesting point in this chapter is the observation of the executive officer:

Lying still at anchor, just inside the harbor, on a Sunday. Come Monday they sail into high seas and Mark finds great joy in celebrating the sea sickness of his fellow travelers. He is mystified by the presence of five ship captains on the voyage.

Stormy and dreary the ship casts off then lies at anchor just at the harbor entrance. The seas are to high to proceed. "We would have shone at a wake, but not at anything more festive."

Mr. Blucher's opinion was first published in the Daily Alta California June 30, 1867 but written May 19th.

This is an enhanced version of chapter 2. I've learned some new techniques with audacity and with dvd-slideshow.

Mark has booked passage on an excursion to the Holy land on board the steamer Quaker City. Included here is a clipping from Daily Alta California dated June 6, 1867. The paper was published August 18, 1867. The clipping concerns Mark's activities the day before boarding. The pdf that the clipping originally came from was made available by California Digital Newspaper Collection

His first mention of the trip, as published in the Daily Alta California is dated April 9, 1867