It was just Twain's style. When he wrote about the area I live in Roughing It in 1861 when he commented that "[the area is so desolate] that even the birds carry provisions." Actually it is spectacular scenery here with 14,000' mountains and miles of beautiful open landscapes. People from all over the World come to visit this area now. He was near what later became Yosemite Nat'l Park when he wrote those comments.
150 years ago, it was more desolate then it is now.
Thanks for the mention. There’s some truth to the view you presented.