It is under way, now, and it is a luxury! an intellectual drunk: Twice Ididn't start it right; and got pretty far in, both times, before I found it out.But I am sure it is started right this time.It is in tale-form.I believe I can make it tell what I think of Man, and how he is constructed, and what a shabby poor ridiculous thing he is, and how mistaken he is in his estimate of his character and powers and qualities and his place among the animals.
So far, I think I am succeeding.I let the madam into the secret day before yesterday, and locked the doors and read to her the opening chapters.She said--"It is perfectly horrible--and perfectly beautiful!""Within the due limits of modesty, that is what I think."I hope it will take me a year or two to write it, and that it will turn out to be the right vessel to contain all the abuse I am planning to dump into it.
Yours ever MARK.
The story mentioned in the foregoing, in which Mark Twain was to give his opinion of man, was The Mysterious Stranger.It was not finished at the time, and its closing chapter was not found until after his death.Six years later (1916) it was published serially in Harper's Magazine, and in book form.
The end of May found the Clemens party in London, where they were received and entertained with all the hospitality they had known in earlier years.Clemens was too busy for letter-writing, but in the midst of things he took time to report to Howells an amusing incident of one of their entertainments.
To W.D.Howells, in America:
LONDON, July 3, '99
DEAR HOWELLS,--.....I've a lot of things to write you, but it's no use--I can't get time for anything these days.I must break off and write a postscript to Canon Wilberforce before I go to bed.This afternoon he left a luncheon-party half an hour ahead of the rest, and carried off my hat (which has Mark Twain in a big hand written in it.) When the rest of us came out there was but one hat that would go on my head--it fitted exactly, too.So wore it away.It had no name in it, but the Canon was the only man who was absent.I wrote him a note at 8 p.m.; saying that for four hours I had not been able to take anything that did not belong to me, nor stretch a fact beyond the frontiers of truth, and my family were getting alarmed.Could he explain my trouble? And now at 8.30 p.m.
comes a note from him to say that all the afternoon he has been exhibiting a wonder-compelling mental vivacity and grace of expression, etc., etc., and have I missed a hat? Our letters have crossed.
Yours ever MARK.
News came of the death of Robert Ingersoll.Clemens had been always one of his most ardent admirers, and a warm personal friend.To Ingersoll's niece he sent a word of heartfelt sympathy.
To Miss Eva Farrell, in New York:
30 WELLINGTON COURT, ALBERT GATE.
DEAR MISS FARRELL,--Except my daughter's, I have not grieved for any death as I have grieved for his.His was a great and beautiful spirit, he was a man--all man from his crown to his foot soles.My reverence for him was deep and genuine; I prized his affection for me and returned it with usury.
Sincerely Yours, S.L.CLEMENS.
Clemens and family decided to spend the summer in Sweden, at Sauna, in order to avail themselves of osteopathic treatment as practised by Heinrick Kellgren.Kellgren's method, known as the "Swedish movements," seemed to Mark Twain a wonderful cure for all ailments, and he heralded the discovery far and wide.He wrote to friends far and near advising them to try Kellgren for anything they might happen to have.Whatever its beginning, any letter was likely to close with some mention of the new panacea.
To Rev.J.H.Twichell, traveling in Europe:
SANNA, Sept.6, '99.
DEAR JOE,--I've no business in here--I ought to be outside.I shall never see another sunset to begin with it this side of heaven.Venice?
land, what a poor interest that is! This is the place to be.I have seen about 60 sunsets here; and a good 40 of them were clear and away beyond anything I had ever imagined before for dainty and exquisite and marvellous beauty and infinite change and variety.America? Italy? The tropics? They have no notion of what a sunset ought to be.And this one--this unspeakable wonder! It discounts all the rest.It brings the tears, it is so unutterably beautiful.
If I had time, I would say a word about this curative system here.The people actually do several of the great things the Christian Scientists pretend to do.You wish to advise with a physician about it? Certainly.
There is no objection.He knows next to something about his own trade, but that will not embarrass him in framing a verdict about this one.
I respect your superstitions--we all have them.It would be quite natural for the cautious Chinaman to ask his native priest to instruct him as to the value of the new religious specialty which the Western missionary is trying to put on the market, before investing in it.(He would get a verdict.)Love to you all!
Always Yours MARK.
Howells wrote that he was going on a reading-tour-dreading it, of course-and asking for any advice that Clemens felt qualified to give.Naturally, Clemens gave him the latest he had in stock, without realizing, perhaps, that he was recommending an individual practice which few would be likely to imitate.Nevertheless, what he says is interesting.
To W.D.Howells, in America:
SANNA, SWEDEN, Sept.26, '99.