I think it means you’re underread within that period, for what it’s worth.
The voice in that quote differs from Twain’s and sounds neither like a journalist, nor like a river-side-raised gentleman of the time, nor like a Nineteenth Century rural/cosmopolitan fusion written to gently mock both.
I was expecting the attribution to be to Mark Twain. I wonder if their style seems similar on account of being old, or if there’s more to it.
I think it means you’re underread within that period, for what it’s worth.
The voice in that quote differs from Twain’s and sounds neither like a journalist, nor like a river-side-raised gentleman of the time, nor like a Nineteenth Century rural/cosmopolitan fusion written to gently mock both.
Though the voice isn’t, the sentiment seems similar to something Twain would say. Though I’d expect a little more cynicism from him.
Tentatively: rhetoric was studied formally, and Twain and Smith might have been working from similar models.