I。
ItwasinthelittleofficeofJamesT。Fields，overthebookstoreofTicknor&Fields，at124TremontStreet，Boston，thatIfirstmetmyfriendofnowforty—fouryears，SamuelL。Clemens。Mr。FieldswasthentheeditorofTheAtlanticMonthly，andIwashisproudandgladassistant，withaprettyfreehandastomanuscripts，andanunmanacledcommandofthebook—noticesattheendofthemagazine。Iwrotenearlyallofthemmyself，andin1869Ihadwrittenratheralongnoticeofabookjustwinningitswaytouniversalfavor。InthisreviewIhadintimatedmyreservationsconcerningthe’InnocentsAbroad’，butIhadtheluck，ifnotthesense，torecognizethatitwassuchfunaswehadnothadbefore。IforgetjustwhatIsaidinpraiseofit，anditdoesnotmatter；itisenoughthatIpraiseditenoughtosatisfytheauthor。
Henowsignifiedasmuch，andhestampedhisgratitudeintomymemorywithastorywonderfullyallegorizingthesituation，whichthemockmodestyofprintforbidsmyrepeatinghere。ThroughoutmylongacquaintancewithhimhisgraphictouchwasalwaysallowingitselfafreedomwhichIcannotbringmyfainterpenciltoillustrate。HehadtheSouthwestern，theLincolnian，theElizabethanbreadthofparlance，whichIsupposeoneoughtnottocallcoarsewithoutcallingone’sselfprudish；andIwasoftenhidingawayindiscreetholesandcornersthelettersinwhichhehadloosedhisboldfancytostooponranksuggestion；Icouldnotbeartoburnthem，andIcouldnot，afterthefirstreading，quitebeartolookatthem。IshallbestgivemyfeelingonthispointbysayingthatinithewasShakespearian，orifhisghostwillnotsuffermetheword，thenhewasBaconian。
Atthetimeofourfirstmeeting，whichmusthavebeenwelltowardthewinter，Clemens（asImustcallhiminsteadofMarkTwain，whichseemedalwayssomehowtomaskhimfrommypersonalsense）waswearingasealskincoat，withthefurout，inthesatisfactionofacaprice，ortheloveofstrongeffectwhichhewasapttoindulgethroughlife。IdonotknowwhatdrollcommentwasinFields’smindwithrespecttothisgarment，butprobablyhefeltthatherewasanoriginalwhowasnottobebroughttoanyBostonianbookinthejudgmentofhisvividqualities。Withhiscrestofdenseredhair，andthewidesweepofhisflamingmustache，Clemenswasnotdiscordantlyclothedinthatsealskincoat，whichafterward，inspiteofhisownwarmthinit，sentthecoldchillsthroughmewhenIonceaccompanieditdownBroadway，andsharedtheimmensepublicityitwonhim。Hehadalwaysarelishforpersonaleffect，whichexpresseditselfinthewhitesuitofcompletesergewhichheworeinhislastyears，andintheOxfordgownwhichheputonforeverypossibleoccasion，andsaidhewouldliketowearallthetime。Thatwasnotvanityinhim，butakeenfeelingforcostumewhichtheseverityofourmoderntailoringforbidsmen，thoughitflatterswomentoeveryexcessinit；yethealsoenjoyedtheshock，theoffence，thepangwhichitgavethesensibilitiesofothers。Thenthereweretimesheplayedthesepranksforpurefun，andforthepleasureofthewitness。OnceI
rememberseeinghimcomeintohisdrawing—roomatHartfordinapairofwhitecowskinslippers，withthehairout，anddoacrippledcoloreduncletothejoyofallbeholders。Or，Imustnotsayall，forI
rememberalsothedismayofMrs。Clemens，andherlow，despairingcryof，\"Oh，Youth!\"Thatwashernameforhimamongtheirfriends，anditfittedhimasnootherwould，thoughIfanciedwithheritwasashrinkingfromhisbaptismalSamuel，orthevernacularSamofhisearliercompanionships。Hewasayouthtotheendofhisdays，theheartofaboywiththeheadofasage；theheartofagoodboy，orabadboy，butalwaysawilfulboy，andwilfulesttoshowhimselfoutatevery，timeforjusttheboyhewas。
II。
ThereisagapinmyrecollectionsofClemens，whichIthinkisofayearortwo，forthenextthingIrememberofhimismeetinghimatalunchinBoston，givenusbythatgeniusofhospitality，thetragicallydestinedRalphKeeler，authorofoneofthemostunjustlyforgottenbooks，’VagabondAdventures’，atruebitofpicaresqueautobiography。Keelerneverhadanymoney，tothegeneralknowledge，andheneverborrowed，andhecouldnothavehadcreditattherestaurantwhereheinvitedustofeastathisexpense。TherewasT。B。Aldrich，therewasJ。T。Fields，muchtheoldestofourcompany，whohadjustfreedhimselffromthetrammelsofthepublishingbusiness，andwasfeelinghisfreedomineveryword；therewasBretHarte，whohadlatelycomeEastinhisprincelyprogressfromCalifornia；andtherewasClemens。Nothingremainstomeofthehappytimebutasenseofidleandaimlessandjoyfultalk—play，beginningandendingnowhere，ofeagerlaughter，ofcountlessgoodstoriesfromFields，ofaheat—lightningshimmerofwitfromAldrich，ofanoccasionalconcentrationofourjointmockeriesuponourhost，whotookitgladly；andamidthediscourse，solittleimproving，butsofullofgoodfellowship，BretHarte’sfleetingdramatizationofClemens’smentalattitudetowardasymposiumofBostonilluminates。\"Why，fellows，\"hespluttered，\"thisisthedreamofMark’slife，\"andI
remembertheglancefromunderClemens’sfeatheryeyebrowswhichbetrayedhisenjoymentofthefun。Wehadbeefsteakwithmushrooms，whichinrecognitionoftheirshapeAldrichhailedasshoe—pegs，andtocrownthefeastwehadanomelettesouse，whichthewaiterbroughtinasflatasapancake，amidourshoutsofcongratulationstopoorKeeler，whotookthemwithappreciativesubmission。ItwasineverywaywhataBostonliterarylunchoughtnottohavebeeninthepopularidealwhichHarteattributedtoClemens。
OurnextmeetingwasatHartford，or，rather，atSpringfield，whereClemensgreetedusonthewaytoHartford。Aldrichwasgoingontobehisguest，andIwasgoingtobeCharlesDudleyWarner’s，butClemenshadcomepartwaytowelcomeusboth。Inthegoodfellowshipofthatcordialneighborhoodwehadtwosuchdaysastheagingsunnolongershinesoninhisround。TherewasconstantrunninginandoutoffriendlyhouseswherethelivelyhostsandguestscalledoneanotherbytheirChristiannamesornicknames，andnosuchvainceremonyasknockingorringingatdoors。Clemenswasthenbuildingthestatelymansioninwhichhesatisfiedhisloveofmagnificenceasifithadbeenanothersealskincoat，andhewasatthecrestoftheprosperitywhichenabledhimtohumoreverywhimorextravagance。Thehousewasthedesignofthatmostoriginalartist，EdwardPotter，whoonce，whenhardpressedbyincompetentcuriosityforthenameofhisstyleinacertainchurch，proposedthatitshouldbecalledtheEnglishvioletorderofarchitecture；andthishousewassoabsolutelysuitedtotheowner’shumorthatIsupposethereneverwasanotherhouselikeit；butitscharactermustbeforrecognitionfartheralonginthesereminiscences。
ThevividestimpressionwhichClemensgaveustworavenousyoungBostonauthorswasofthesatisfying，thesurfeitingnatureofsubscriptionpublication。Anarmyofagentswasoverrunningthecountrywiththeprospectusesofhisbooks，anddeliveringthembythescoresofthousandsincompletedsale。Ofthe’InnocentsAbroad’hesaid，\"ItsellsrightalongjustliketheBible，\"and’RoughingIt’wasswiftlyfollowing，withoutperhapseverquiteovertakingitinpopularity。ButhelecturedAldrichandmeonthefollyofthatmodeofpublicationinthetradewhichwehadthoughtitthehighestsuccesstoachieveachancein。
\"Anythingbutsubscriptionpublicationisprintingforprivatecirculation，\"hemaintained，andhesowonuponourgreedandhopethatonthewaybacktoBostonweplannedthejointauthorshipofavolumeadaptedtosubscriptionpublication。Wegotaverygoodnameforit，aswebelieved，inMemorableMurders，andwenevergotfartherwithit，butbythetimewereachedBostonwewererollinginwealthsodeepthatwecouldhardlywalkhomeinthefrugalfashionbywhichwestillthoughtitbesttosparecarfare；carriagefarewedidnotdreamofeveninthatopulence。
III。
ThevisitstoHartfordwhichhadbegunwiththisaffluencecontinuedwithoutactualincreaseofrichesforme，butnowIwentalone，andinWarner’sEuropeanandEgyptianabsencesIformedthehabitofgoingtoClemens。Bythistimehewasinhisnewhouse，whereheusedtogivemearoyalchamberonthegroundfloor，andcomeinatnightafterIhadgonetobedtotakeofftheburglaralarmsothatthefamilyshouldnotberousedifanybodytriedtogetinatmywindow。Thiswouldbeafterwehadsatuplate，hesmokingthelastofhisinnumerablecigars，andsoothinghistensenerveswithamildhotScotch，whilewebothtalkedandtalkedandtalked，ofeverythingintheheavensandontheearth，andthewatersundertheearth。AftertwodaysofthistalkIwouldcomeawayhollow，realizingmyselfbestintheimageofoneofthoselocust—
shellswhichyoufindstickingtothebarkoftreesattheendofsummer。
Once，aftersomesuchboutofbrains，wewentdowntoNewYorktogether，andsatfacingeachotherinthePullmansmokerwithoutpassingasyllabletillwehadoccasiontosay，\"Well，we’rethere。\"Then，withourinstallationinanowvanishedhotel（theoldBrunswick，tobespecific），thetalkbeganagainwiththeinspirationofthenovelenvironment，andwentonandon。Wewishedtobeasleep，butwecouldnotstop，andheloungedthroughtheroomsinthelongnightgownwhichhealwaysworeinpreferencetothepajamaswhichhedespised，andtoldthestoryofhislife，theinexhaustible，thefairy，theArabianNightsstory，whichIcouldnevertireofevenwhenitbegantobetoldoveragain。Orattimeshewouldreasonhigh——
\"OfProvidence，foreknowledge，willandfate，Fixedfate，freewill，foreknowledgeabsolute，\"
walkingupanddown，andhaltingnowandthen，withafinetossandslantofhisshaggyhead，assomeboldthoughtorsplendidjokestruckhim。
Hewasinthosedaysaconstantattendantatthechurchofhisgreatfriend，theRev。JosephH。Twichell，andatleasttacitlyfarfromtheentirenegationhecametoatlast。Ishouldsayhehadhardlyyetexaminedthegroundsofhispassiveacceptanceofhiswife’sbelief，foritwashersandnothis，andhehelditunscannedinthebeautifulandtenderloyaltytoherwhichwasthemostmovingqualityofhismostfaithfulsoul。Imakeboldtospeakofthelovebetweenthem，becausewithoutitIcouldnotmakehimknowntoothersashewasknowntome。
Itwasagreaterpartofhimthantheloveofmostmenfortheirwives，andshemeritedalltheworshiphecouldgiveher，allthedevotion，alltheimplicitobedience，byhersurpassingforceandbeautyofcharacter。
ShewasinawaytheloveliestpersonIhaveeverseen，thegentlest，thekindest，withoutatouchofweakness；sheunitedwonderfultactwithwonderfultruth；andClemensnotonlyacceptedherruleimplicitly，butherejoiced，hegloriedinit。Iamnotsurethathenoticedallhergoodnessintheactionsthatmadeitaheavenlyvisiontoothers，hesohadthehabitofhergoodness；butiftherewasanyforlornandhelplesscreatureintheroomMrs。Clemenswassomehowpromptlyathissideorhers；shewasalwaysseekingoccasionofkindnesstothoseinherhouseholdoroutofit；shelovedtoletherheartgobeyondthereachofherhand，andimaginedthewholehardandsufferingworldwithcompassionforitsstructuralaswellasincidentalwrongs。Isupposeshehadherladyhoodlimitations，herfemalefearsofetiquetteandconvention，butshedidnotletthemhamperthewildandsplendidgenerositywithwhichClemensrebelledagainstthesocialstupiditiesandcruelties。Shehadbeenalifelonginvalidwhenhemether，andhelikedtotellthebeautifulstoryoftheircourtshiptoeachnewfriendwhomhefoundcapableoffeelingitsbeautyorworthyofhearingit。Naturally，herfatherhadhesitatedtogiveherintothekeepingoftheyoungstrangeWesterner，whohadrisenupoutoftheunknownwithhisgiantreputationofburlesquehumorist，anddemandedguaranties，demandedproofs。\"Heaskedme，\"Clemenswouldsay，\"ifIcouldn’tgivehimthenamesofpeoplewhoknewmeinCalifornia，andwhenitwastimetohearfromthemIheardfromhim。’Well，Mr。Clemens，’hesaid，’nobodyseemstohaveaverygoodwordforyou。’Ihadn’treferredhimtopeoplethatIthoughtweregoingtowhitewashme。Ithoughtitwasallupwithme，butIwasdisappointed。’SoIguessIshallhavetobackyoumyself。’\"
WhetherthismadehimfaithfulertothetrustputinhimIcannotsay，butprobablynot；itwasalwaysinhimtobefaithfultoanytrust，andinproportionasatrustofhisownwasbetrayedhewasruthlesslyandimplacablyresentful。ButIwishnowtospeakofthehappinessofthathouseholdinHartfordwhichrespondedsoperfectlytotheidealsofthemotherwhenthethreedaughters，solovelyandsogifted，wereyetlittlechildren。Therehadbeenaboy，and\"Yes，Ikilledhim，\"Clemensoncesaid，withtheunsparingself—blameinwhichhewouldwreakanunavailingregret。Hemeantthathehadtakenthechildoutimprudently，andthechildhadtakenthecoldwhichhediedof，butitwasbynomeanscertainthiswasthroughitsfather’simprudence。Ineverheardhimspeakofhissonexceptthatonce，butnodoubtinhisdeephearthislosswasirreparablypresent。Hewasaverytenderfatheranddelightedinthemindsofhischildren，buthewaswiseenoughtoleavetheirtrainingaltogethertothewisdomoftheirmother。Heleftthemtothatineverything，keepingforhimselfthepleasureofteachingthemlittlescenesofdrama，learninglanguageswiththem，andleadingtheminsinging。Theycametothetablewiththeirparents，andcouldhavesethimanexampleinbehaviorwhen，inmomentsofintenseexcitement，heusedtoleavehisplaceandwalkupanddowntheroom，flyinghisnapkinandtalkingandtalking。
ItwasafterhisfirstEnglishsojournthatIusedtovisithim，andhewasthenfullofpraiseofeverythingEnglish：theEnglishpersonalindependenceandpublicspirit，andhospitality，andtruth。Helikedtotellstoriesinproofoftheirvirtues，buthewasnotblindtothedefectsoftheirvirtues：theirsubmissiveacceptanceofcaste，theircallousnesswithstrangers；theirbluntnesswithoneanother。Mrs。
Clemenshadbeeninawaytosuffersociallymorethanhe，andshepraisedtheEnglishless。Shehadsatafterdinnerwithladieswhosnubbedandignoredoneanother，andlefthertofindherownamusementintheabsenceoftheattentionwithwhichAmericansperhapscloytheirguests，butwhichshecouldnothelppreferring。IntheirsuccessivesojournsamongthemIbelievehecametoliketheEnglishlessandshemore；thefinedelightofhisfirstacceptanceamongthemdidnotrenewitselftillhisOxforddegreewasgivenhim；thenitmadehiscuprunover，andhewasgladthewholeworldshouldseeit。
HiswifewouldnotchilltheardorofhisearlyAnglomania，andinthis，asineverything，shewishedtohumorhimtotheutmost。Noonecouldhaverealizedmorethanshehisessentialfineness，hisinnatenobleness。
Marriagesarewhatthepartiestothemalonereallyknowthemtobe，butfromtheoutsideIshouldsaythatthismarriagewasoneofthemostperfect。Itlastedinhisabsolutedevotiontothedayofherdeath，thatdelayedlongincruelsuffering，andthatleftonesideofhiminlastingnight。FromFlorencetherecametomeheartbreakinglettersfromhimaboutthetortureshewasundergoing，andatlastalettersayingshewasdead，withthesimple—heartedcry，\"IwishIwaswithLivy。\"IdonotknowwhyIhaveleftsayingtillnowthatshewasaverybeautifulwoman，classicallyregularinfeatures，withblackhairsmoothoverherforehead，andwithtenderlypeering，myopiaeyes，alwaysbehindglasses，andasmileofangelickindness。Butthiskindnesswentwithasenseofhumorwhichqualifiedhertoappreciatetheself—lawedgeniusofamanwhowillberememberedwiththegreathumoristsofalltime，withCervantes，withSwift，orwithanyothersworthyhiscompany；noneofthemwashisequalinhumanity。
IV。
Clemenshadappointedhimself，withthearchitect’sconnivance，aluxuriousstudyoverthelibraryinhisnewhouse，butashischildrengrewolderthisstudy，withitscarvedandcushionedarm—chairs，wasgivenovertothemforaschool—room，andhetooktheroomabovehisstable，whichhadbeenintendedforhiscoachman。Thereweusedtotalktogether，whenwewerenotwalkingandtalkingtogether，untilhediscoveredthathecouldmakeamorecommodioususeofthebilliard—roomatthetopofhishouse，forthepurposesofliteratureandfriendship。
ItwasprettycoldupthereintheearlyspringandlatefallweatherwithwhichIchieflyassociatetheplace，butbylightingupallthegas—
burnersandkindlingareluctantfireonthehearthwecouldkeepitwellabovefreezing。Clemenscouldalsopushtheballsabout，and，withoutrivalryfromme，whocouldnomoreplaybilliardsthansmoke，couldwinendlessgamesofpool，whilehecarriedpointsofargumentagainstimaginabledifferersinopinion。Herehewrotemanyofhistalesandsketches，andforanythingIknowsomeofhisbooks。IparticularlyrememberhisreadingmeherehisfirstroughsketchofCaptainStormfield’sVisittoHeaven，withtherealnameofthecaptain，whomI
knewalreadyfromhismanystoriesabouthim。
WehadapeculiarpleasureinlookingofffromthehighwindowsontheprettyHartfordlandscape，anddownfromthemintothetopsofthetreesclothingthehillsidebywhichhishousestood。Weagreedthattherewasanovelcharmintreesseenfromsuchavantage，farsurpassingthatofthefartherscenery。Hehadnotbeenacountryboyfornothing；ratherhehadbeenacountryboy，or，stillbetter，avillageboy，foreverythingthatNaturecanoffertheyoungofourspecies，andnoaspectofherwaslostonhim。WewerenativesofthesamevastMississippiValley；andMissouriwasnotsofarfromOhiobutthatwewereakininourfirstknowledgesofwoodsandfieldsaswewereinourearlyparlance。Ihadoutgrowntheuseofminethroughmygreaterbookishness，butIgladlyrecognizedthephraseswhichheemployedfortheirlastingjuicinessandthelong—rememberedsavortheyhadonhismentalpalate。
Ihaveelsewheresufficientlyspokenofhisunsophisticateduseofwords，ofthedictionwhichformsthebackboneofhismanlystyle。IfImentionmyowngreaterbookishness，bywhichImeanhislessquantitativereading，itistogivemyselfbetteroccasiontonotethathewasalwaysreadingsomevitalbook。Itmightbesomeout—of—the—waybook，butithadtherootofthehumanmatterinit：avolumeofgreattrials；oneofthesupremeautobiographies；asignalpassageofhistory，anarrativeoftravel，astoryofcaptivity，whichgavehimlifeatfirst—hand。AsI
remember，hedidnotcaremuchforfiction，andinthatsorthehadcertaindistinctloathings；therewerecertainauthorswhosenamesheseemednotsomuchtopronounceastospewoutofhismouth。Goldsmithwasoneofthese，buthisprimeabhorrencewasmydearandhonoredprimefavorite，JaneAusten。Heoncesaidtome，Isupposeafterhehadbeenreadingsomeofmyunsparingpraisesofher——Iamalwayspraisingher，\"Youseemtothinkthatwomancouldwrite，\"andheforborewitheringmewithhisscorn，apparentlybecausewehadbeenfriendssolong，andhemorepitiedthanhatedmeformybadtaste。Heseemednottohaveanypreferencesamongnovelists；oratleastIneverheardhimexpressany。
HeusedtoreadthemodernnovelsIpraised，inoroutofprint；butIdonotthinkhemuchlikedreadingfiction。Asforplays，hedetestedthetheatre，andsaidhewouldasliefdoasumasfollowaplotonthestage。Hecouldnot，ordidnot，giveanyreasonsforhisliteraryabhorrences，andperhapshereallyhadnone。Buthecouldhavesaidverydistinctly，ifhehadneeded，whyhelikedthebookshedid。IwasawayatthetimeofhisgreatBrowningpassion，andIknowofitchieflyfromhearsay；butatthetimeTolstoywasdoingwhatcouldbedonetomakemeoverClemenswrote，\"ThatmanseemstohavebeentoyouwhatBrowningwastome。\"Idonotknowthathehadotherfavoritesamongthepoets，buthehadfavoritepoemswhichhelikedtoreadtoyou，andheread，ofcourse，splendidly。IhaveforgottenwhatpieceofJohnHay’sitwasthathelikedsomuch，butIrememberedhowhefiercelyrevelledinthevengefulnessofWilliamMorris’s’SirGuyoftheDolorousBlast，’andhowheespeciallyexaltedinthelineswhichtellofthesupposedspeaker’sjoyinslayingthemurdererofhisbrother：
\"Iamthreescoreyearsandten，Andmyhairis’nighturnedgray，ButIamgladtothinkofthemomentwhenItookhislifeaway。\"
Generally，Ifancyhispleasureinpoetrywasnotgreat，andIdonotbelievehecaredmuchfortheconventionallyacceptedmasterpiecesofliterature。Helikedtofindoutgoodthingsandgreatthingsforhimself；sometimeshewoulddiscovertheseinamasterpiecenewtohimalone，andthen，ifyoubroughthisignorancehometohim，heenjoyedit，andenjoyeditthemorethemoreyourubbeditin。
OfalltheliterarymenIhaveknownhewasthemostunliteraryinhismakeandmanner。IdonotknowwhetherhehadanyacquaintancewithLatin，butIbelievenottheleast；Germanheknewprettywell，andItalianenoughlateinlifetohavefunwithit；butheusedEnglishinallitsalienderivationsasifitwerenativetohisownair，asifithadcomeupoutofAmerican，outofMissourianground。Hisstylewaswhatweknow，forgoodandforbad，buthismanner，ifImaydifferencethetwo，wasasentirelyhisownasifnoonehadeverwrittenbefore。
Ihavenotedbeforethishowhewasnotenslavedtotheconsecutivenessinwritingwhichtherestofustrytokeepchainedto。Thatis，hewroteashethought，andasallmenthink，withoutsequence，withoutaneyetowhatwentbeforeorshouldcomeafter。Ifsomethingbeyondorbesidewhathewassayingoccurredtohim，heinviteditintohispage，andmadeitasmuchathomethereasthenatureofitwouldsufferhim。
Then，whenhewasthroughwiththewelcomingofthiscasualandunexpectedguest，hewouldgobacktothecompanyhewasentertaining，andkeeponwithwhathehadbeentalkingabout。Heobservedthismannerintheconstructionofhissentences，andthearrangementofhischapters，andtheorderingordisorderingofhiscompilations。——[NowhereisthischaracteristicbetterfoundthaninTwain’sAutobiography，’itwasnota\"style\"itwasunselfconsciousthoughtD。W。]——IhelpedhimwithaLibraryofHumor，whichheonceedited，andwhenIhaddonemyworkaccordingtotradition，withauthors，times，andtopicscarefullystudiedinduesequence，hetoreitallapart，and\"chucked\"thepiecesinwhereverthefancy，forthemtookhimatthemoment。Hewasright：wewerenotmakingatext—book，butabookforthepleasureratherthantheinstructionofthereader，andhedidnotseewhytheprincipleonwhichhebuilthistravelsandreminiscencesandtalesandnovelsshouldnotapplytoit；andIdonotnowsee，either，thoughatthetimeitconfoundedme。Onminorpointshewas，beyondanyauthorIhaveknown，withoutfavoritephrasesorpetwords。Heutterlydespisedtheavoidanceofrepetitionsoutoffearoftautology。Ifawordservedhisturnbetterthanasubstitute，hewoulduseitasmanytimesinapageashechose。
V。
AtthattimeIhadbecomeeditorofTheAtlanticMonthly，andIhadallegiancesbelongingtotheconductofwhatwasandstillremainsthemostscrupulouslycultivatedofourperiodicals。WhenClemensbegantowriteforithecamewillinglyunderitsrules，forwithallhiswilfulnessthereneverwasamorebiddablemaninthingsyoucouldshowhimareasonfor。Henevermadetheleastofthattroublewhichsoaboundsforthehaplesseditorfromnarrower—mindedcontributors。Ifyouwantedathingchanged，verygood，hechangedit；ifyousuggestedthatawordorasentenceoraparagraphhadbetterbestruckout，verygood，hestruckitout。Hisproof—sheetscamebackeachaveritable\"mushofconcession，\"asEmersonsays。Nowandthenhewouldtryalittlestrongerlanguagethan’TheAtlantic’hadstomachfor，andoncewhenI
senthimaproofImadehimobservethatIhadleftouttheprofanity。
Hewroteback：\"Mrs。Clemensopenedthatproof，andlitintotheroomwithdangerinhereye。Whatprofanity？Yousee，whenIreadthemanuscripttoherIskippedthat。\"Itwaspartofhisjoketopretendaviolenceinthatgentlestcreaturewhichthemoreamusinglyrealizedthesituationtotheirfriends。
Iwasalwaysverygladofhimandproudofhimasacontributor，butI
mustnotclaimthewholemerit，orthefirstmeritofhavinghimwriteforus。Itwasthepublisher，thelateH。O。Houghton，whofelttheincongruityofhisabsencefromtheleadingperiodicalofthecountry，andwasalwaysurgingmetogethimtowrite。Iwilltakethecreditofbeingeagerforhim，butitistothepublisher’screditthathetried，sofarasthemodesttraditionsof’TheAtlantic’wouldpermit，tomeettheexpectationsinpaywhichthecolossalprofitsofClemens’sbooksmightnaturallyhavebredinhim。WhetherhewasreallyabletodothisheneverknewfromClemenshimself，butprobablytwentydollarsapagedidnotsurfeittheauthorofbooksthat\"soldrightalongjustliketheBible。\"
WehadseveralshortcontributionsfromClemensfirst，allofcapitalquality，andthenwehadtheseriesofpaperswhichwentmainlytothemakingofhisgreatbook，’LifeontheMississippi’。UponthewholeI
havethenotionthatClemensthoughtthishisgreatestbook，andhewassupportedinhisopinionbythatofthe’portier’inhishotelatVienna，andthatoftheGermanEmperor，who，ashetoldmewithequalrespectforthepreferenceofeach，unitedinthinkingithisbest；withsuchfar—
sunderedsocialpolesapproachinginitsfavor，heapparentlyfoundhimselfwithoutstandingforopposition。Atanyrate，thepaperswoninstantappreciationfromhiseditorandpublisher，andfromthereadersoftheirperiodical，whichtheyexpectedtoprosperbeyondprecedentinitscirculation。Butthoseweredaysofsimpleracceptanceofthepopularrightsofnewspapersthantheseare，whenmagazinesstrictlyguardtheirvestedinterestsagainstthem。’TheNewYorkTimes’andthe’St。LouisDemocrat’profitedbytheadvancecopiesofthemagazinesentthemtoreprintthepapersmonthbymonth。TogethertheycoverednearlythewholereadingterritoryoftheUnion，andthetermsoftheirdailypublicationenabledthemtoanticipatethemagazineinitsownrestrictedfield。Itssubscriptionlistwasnotenlargedintheslightestmeasure，andTheAtlanticMonthlylanguishedonthenews—standsasundesiredasever。
VI。
ItwasamongmylatervisitstoHartfordthatwebegantotalkupthenotionofcollaboratingaplay，butwedidnotarriveatanyclearintention，anditwasatelegramoutoftheclearskythatonedaysummonedmefromBostontohelpwithacontinuationofColonelSellers。
IhadbeenawitnessofthehighjoyofClemensintheprodigioustriumphofthefirstColonelSellers，whichhadbeendramatizedfromthenovelof’TheGildedAge。’ThiswasthejointworkofClemensandCharlesDudleyWarner，andthestoryhadbeenputuponthestagebysomeoneinUtah，whomClemensfirstbroughttobookinthecourtsforviolationofhiscopyright，andthenindemnifiedforsuchrightsashisadaptationofthebookhadgivenhim。ThestructureoftheplayasJohnT。Raymondgaveitwassubstantiallytheworkofthisunknowndramatist。Clemensneverpretended，tomeatanyrate，thathehadtheleasthandinit；hefranklyownedthathewasincapableofdramatization；yetthevitalpartwashis，forthecharactersintheplaywerehisasthebookembodiedthem，andthesuccesswhichitwonwiththepublicwasjustlyhis。
Thishesharedequallywiththeactor，followingthecompanywithanagent，whocountedouttheauthor’sshareofthegatemoney，andsenthimanoteoftheamounteverydaybypostalcard。Thepostalsusedtocomeaboutdinner—time，andClemenswouldreadthemaloudtousinwildtriumph。
Onehundredandfiftydollars——twohundreddollars——threehundreddollarswerethegayfigureswhichtheybore，andwhichheflauntedintheairbeforehesatdownattable，orrosefromittobrandish，andthen，flinginghisnapkinintohischair，walkedupanddowntoexultin。
By—and—bythepopularity，oftheplaywaned，andthetimecamewhenhesickenedofthewholeaffair，andwithdrewhisagent，andtookwhatevergainfromittheactorapportionedhim。Hewasapttohavethesesuddensurceases，followingupontheintensitiesofhisearlierinterest；thoughheseemedalwaystohavethenotionofmakingsomethingmoreofColonelSellers。ButwhenIarrivedinHartfordinanswertohissummons，Ifoundhimwithnodefiniteideaofwhathewantedtodowithhim。
Irepresentedthatwemusthavesomesortofplan，andheagreedthatweshouldbothjotdownascenarioovernightandcompareourrespectiveschemesthenextmorning。AstheauthorofalargenumberoflittleplayswhichhavebeenprivatelypresentedthroughouttheUnitedStatesandinpartsoftheUnitedKingdom，withoutevergettinguponthepublicstageexceptforthenobleendsofcharity，andthenpromptlygettingoffit，Ifeltauthorizedtomakehimobservethathisschemewasasnearlynothingaschaoscouldbe。Heagreedhilariouslywithme，andwaswillingtoletitstandinproofofhisentiredramaticinability。
Atthesametimehelikedmyplotverymuch，whichultimatedSellers，accordingtoClemens’sintention，asamancrazedbyhisowninventionsandbyhissuperstitionthathewastherightfulheirtoanEnglishearldom。TheexuberantnatureofSellersandthevastrangeofhisimaginationservedourpurposeinotherways。Clemensmadehimaspiritualist，whosespecialtyintheoccultwasmaterialization；
hebecameonimpulseanardenttemperancereformer，andheheadedaprocessionoftemperanceladiesafterdisinterestedlytestingthedeleteriouseffectsofliquoruponhimselfuntilhecouldnotwalkstraight；alwaysheworeamarvellousfire—extinguisherstrappedonhisback，togiveproofinanyemergencyoftheeffectivenessofhisinventioninthatway。
Wehadajubilantfortnightinworkingtheparticularsofthesethingsout。ItwasnotpossibleforClemenstowritelikeanybodyelse，butI
couldveryeasilywritelikeClemens，andwetooktheplaysceneandsceneabout，quitesecureofcomingoutintemperamentalagreement。
Thecharactersremainedforthemostparthis，andIvariedthemonlytomakethemmorelikehisthan，ifpossible，hecould。Severalyearsafter，whenIlookedoveracopyoftheplay，Icouldnotalwaystellmyworkfromhis；IonlyknewthatIhaddonecertainscenes。Wewouldworkalldaylongatourseveraltasks，andthenatnight，beforedinner，readthemovertoeachother。Nodramatistsevergotgreaterjoyoutoftheircreations，andwhenIreflectthatthepublicneverhadthechanceofsharingourjoyIpitythepublicfromafullheart。Istillbelievethattheplaywasimmenselyfunny；Istillbelievethatifitcouldoncehavegotbehindthefootlightsitwouldhavecontinuedtopackthehousebeforethemforanindefinitesuccessionofnights。Butthismaybemyfondness。
Atanyrate，itwasnottobe。RaymondhadidentifiedhimselfwithSellersintheplay—goingimagination，andwhetherconsciouslyorunconsciouslyweconstantlyworkedwithRaymondinourminds。ButbeforethistimebitterdispleasureshadrisenbetweenClemensandRaymond，andClemenswasdeterminedthatRaymondshouldneverhavetheplay。Hefirstofferedittoseveralotheractors，whoeagerlycaughtit，onlytogiveitbackwiththedespairingrenunciation，\"ThatisaRaymondplay。\"Wetriedmanagerswithit，buttheironlyquestionwaswhethertheycouldgetRaymondtodoit。InthemeantimeRaymondhadprovidedhimselfwithaplayforthewinter——averygoodplay，byDemarestLloyd；andhewasinnohurryforours。Perhapshedidnotreallycareforitperhapsheknewwhenheheardofitthatitmustcometohimintheend。Intheenditdid，frommyhand，forClemenswouldnotmeethim。Ifoundhiminamoodofsweetreasonableness，perhapsthemoresoftenedbyoneofthoseluncheswhichourpublisher，thehospitableJamesR。Osgood，wasalwaysbringingpeopletogetheroverinBoston。Hesaidthathecouldnotdotheplaythatwinter，buthewassurethatheshouldlikeit，andhehadnodoubthewoulddoitthenextwinter。SoIgavehimthemanuscript，inspiteofClemens’scharges，forhissuspicionsandrancorsweresuchthathewouldnothavehadmeleaveitforamomentintheactor’shands。
Butitseemedaconclusionthatinvolvedsuccessandfortuneforus。
Induetime，butIdonotrememberhowlongafter，Raymonddeclaredhimselfdelightedwiththepiece；heenteredintoasatisfactoryagreementforit，andatthebeginningofthenextseasonhestartedwithittoBuffalo，wherehewastogiveafirstproduction。AtRochesterhepausedlongenoughtoreturnit，withtheexplanationthatafriendhadnotedtohimthefactthatColonelSellersintheplaywasalunatic，andinsanitywassoseriousathingthatitcouldnotberepresentedonthestagewithoutoutragingthesensibilitiesoftheaudience；orwordstothateffect。WeweretoofarofftoallegeHamlettothecontrary，orKingLear，ortoinstancethedelightwhichgenerationsofreadersthroughouttheworldhadtakeninthemadfreaksofDonQuixote。
WhateverweretherealreasonsofRaymondforrejectingtheplay，wehadtobecontentwiththosehegave，andtosetaboutgettingitintootherhands。Inthiseffortwefailedevenmoresignallythanbefore，ifthatwerepossible。Atlastacleverandcharmingelocutionist，whohadlongwishedtogethimselfonthestage，heardofitandaskedtoseeit。
Wewouldhaveshownittoanyonebythistime，andweverywillinglyshowedittohim。HecametoHartfordanddidsomescenesfromitforus。Imustsayhedidthemverywell，quiteaswellasRaymondcouldhavedonethem，inwhosemannerhedidthem。Butnow，latetowardspring，thequestionwaswherehecouldgetanengagementwiththeplay，andweendedbyhiringatheatreinNewYorkforaweekoftrialperformances。
ClemenscameonwithmetoBoston，whereweweregoingtomakesomechangesinthepiece，andwherewemadethemtooursatisfaction，butnottotheeffectofthathighrapturewhichwehadinthefirstdraft。
HewentbacktoHartford，andthenthecoldfitcameuponme，and\"invisionsofthenight，inslumberingsuponthebed，\"ghastlyformsoffailureappalledme，andwhenIroseinthemorningIwrotehim：\"Hereisaplaywhicheverymanagerhasputout—of—doorsandwhicheveryactorknowntoushasrefused，andnowwegoandgiveittoanelocutioner。
Wearefools。\"WhetherClemensagreedwithmeornotinmyconclusion，heagreedwithmeinmypremises，andwepromptlyboughtourplayoffthestageatacostofsevenhundreddollars，whichwesharedbetweenus。
ButClemenswasneveramantogiveup。IrelinquishedgratisallrightandtitleIhadintheplay，andhepaiditsentireexpensesforaweekofone—nightstandsinthecountry。ItnevercametoNewYork；andyetI
thinknowthatifithadcome，itwouldhavesucceeded。Soharddoesthefaithoftheunsuccessfuldramatistinhisworkdie。
VII。
ThereisanincidentofthistimesocharacteristicofbothmenthatI
willyieldtothetemptationofgivingithere。AfterIhadgonetoHartfordinresponsetoClemens’stelegram，MatthewArnoldarrivedinBoston，andoneofmyfamilycalledonhis，toexplainwhyIwasnotathometoreceivehisintroduction：IhadgonetoseeMarkTwain。\"Oh，buthedoesn’tlikethatsortofthing，doeshe？\"\"HelikesMr。Clemensverymuch，\"myrepresentativeanswered，\"andhethinkshimoneofthegreatestmenheeverknew。\"IwasstillClemens’sguestatHartfordwhenArnoldcametheretolecture，andonenightwewenttomeethimatareception。
Whilehishandlaxlyheldmineingreeting，Isawhiseyesfixedintenselyontheothersideoftheroom。\"Who—whointheworldisthat？\"
Ilookedandsaid，\"Oh，thatisMarkTwain。\"IdonotrememberjusthowtheirinstantencounterwascontrivedbyArnold’swish，butIhavetheimpressionthattheywerenotpartedforlongduringtheevening，andthenextnightArnold，asifstillundertheglamourofthatpotentpresence，wasatClemens’shouse。Icannotsayhowtheygoton，orwhattheymadeofeachother；ifClemenseverspokeofArnold，Idonotrecallwhathesaid，butArnoldhadshownasenseofhimfromwhichtheincreduloussniffofthepoliteworld，nowsouniversallyexploded，hadalreadyperished。Itmightwellhavedonesowithhisfirstdramaticvisionofthatprodigioushead。Clemenswasthenharduponfifty，andhehadkept，ashedidtotheend，theslenderfigureofhisyouth，buttheashesoftheburnt—outyearswerebeginningtograythefiresofthatsplendidshockofredhairwhichheheldtotheheightofastatureapparentlygreaterthanitwas，andtiltedfromsidetosideinhisundulatingwalk。
Heglimmeredatyoufromthenarrowslitsoffineblue—greenisheyes，underbranchingbrows，whichwithagegrewmoreandmorelikeasortofplumage，andhewasapttosmileintoyourfacewithasubtlebutamiableperception，andyetwithasortofremoteabsence；youwereallthereforhim，buthewasnotallthereforyou。
VIII。
Ishall，nottrytogivechronologicalordertomyrecollectionsofhim，butsinceIamjustnowwithhiminHartfordIwillspeakofhiminassociationwiththeplace。OncewhenIcameonfromCambridgehefollowedmetomyroomtoseethatthewaterwasnotfrozeninmybath，orsomethingofthekind，foritwasverycoldweather，andthenhospitablylingered。NottolosetimeinbanalitiesIbeganatoncefromthethreadofthoughtinmymind。\"Iwonderwhywehatethepastso，\"
andherespondedfromthedepthsofhisownconsciousness，\"It’ssodamnedhumiliating，\"whichiswhatanymanwouldsayofhispastifhewerehonest；buthonestmenarefewwhenitcomestothemselves。Clemenswasoneofthefew，andthefirstofthemamongallthepeopleIhaveknown。Ihaveknown，Isuppose，menastruthful，butnotsopromptly，soabsolutely，sopositively，soalmostaggressivelytruthful。Hecouldlie，ofcourse，anddidtosaveothersfromgrieforharm；hewas，notstupidlytruthful；buthisfirstimpulsewastosayoutthethingandeverythingthatwasinhim。Tothosewhocanunderstanditwillnotbecontradictoryofhissenseofhumiliationfromthepast，thathewasnotashamedforanythingheeverdidtothepointofwishingtohideit。Hecouldbe，andhewas，bitterlysorryforhiserrors，whichhehadenoughofinhislife，buthewasnotashamedinthatmeanway。Whathehaddoneheownedto，good，bad，orindifferent，andifitwasbadhewasratheramusedthantroubledastotheeffectinyourmind。Hewouldnotobtrudethefactuponyou，butifitwereinthewayofpersonalhistoryhewouldnotdreamofwithholdingit，farlessofhidingit。
Hewasthereadiestofmentoallowanerrorifhewerefoundinit。InoneofourwalksaboutHartford，whenhewasinthefirstfineflushofhisagnosticism，bedeclaredthatChristianityhaddonenothingtoimprovemoralsandconditions，andthattheworldunderthehighestpagancivilizationwasaswelloffasitwasunderthehighestChristianinfluences。IhappenedtobefreshfromthereadingofCharlesLoringBrace’s’GestaChristi’；or，’HistoryofHumaneProgress’，andIcouldofferhimabundantproofsthathewaswrong。Hedidnotlikethatevidently，butheinstantlygaveway，sayingbehadnotknownthosethings。LaterbewasmoretolerantinhisdenialsofChristianity，butjustthenhewasfeelinghisfreedomfromit，andrejoicinginhavingbrokenwhathefelttohavebeentheshacklesofbeliefwornsolong。
HegreatlyadmiredRobertIngersoll，whomhecalledanangelicorator，andregardedasanevangelofanewgospel——thegospeloffreethought。，Hetookthewarmestinterestinthenewspapercontroversyragingatthetimeastotheexistenceofahell；whenthenoescarriedtheday，I
supposethatnoenemyofperditionwasmorepleased。Hestilllovedhisoldfriendandpastor，Mr。Twichell，buthenolongerwenttohearhimpreachhissageandbeautifulsermons，andwas，Ithink，therebythegreaterloser。LongbeforethatIhadaskedhimifhewentregularlytochurch，andhegroanedout：\"Ohyes，Igo。It’mostkillsme，butIgo，\"
andIdidnotneedhistellingmetounderstandthathewentbecausehiswifewishedit。Hedidtellme，aftertheybothceasedtogo，thatithadfinallycometohersaying，\"Well，ifyouaretobelost，Iwanttobelostwithyou。\"Hecouldacceptthatwillingnessforsupremesacrificeandexultinitbecauseofthesupremetruthashesawit。
AftertheyhadbothceasedtobeformalChristians，shewasstillgrievedbyhisdenialofimmortality，sogrievedthatheresolvedupononeofthoseheroiclies，whichforlove’ssakeheheldaboveeventhetruth，andhewenttoher，sayingthathehadbeenthinkingthewholematterover，andnowhewasconvincedthatthesouldidliveafterdeath。Itwastoolate。Herkeenvisionpiercedthroughhisruse，asitdidwhenhebroughtthedoctorwhohaddiagnosticatedhercaseasorganicdiseaseoftheheart，and，aftermakinghimgooverthefactsofitagainwithher，madehimdeclareitmerelyfunctional。
TomakeanendoftheserecordsastoClemens’sbeliefs，sofarasIknewthem，IshouldsaythatheneverwentbacktoanythinglikefaithintheChristiantheology，orinthenotionoflifeafterdeath，orinaconsciousdivinity。Itisbesttobehonestinthismatter；hewouldhavehatedanythingelse，andIdonotbelievethatthetruthinitcanhurtanyone。Atoneperiodhearguedthattheremusthavebeenacause，aconscioussourceofthings；thattheuniversecouldnothavecomebychance。Ihaveheardalsothatinhislasthoursormomentshesaid，orhisdearestoneshopedhehadsaid，somethingaboutmeetingagain。Buttheexpression，ofwhichtheycouldnotbecertain，wasofthevaguest，anditwasperhapsaddressedtotheirtendernessoutofhistenderness。
Allhisexpressionstomewereofacourageous，renunciationofanyhopeoflivingagain，orelsewhereseeingthosehehadlost。Hesufferedterriblyintheirloss，andhewasnotfoolenoughtotryignoringhisgrief。Heknewthatforthistherewerebuttwomedicines；thatitwouldwearitselfoutwiththeyears，andthatmeanwhiletherewasnothingforitbutthoserespitesinwhichthemournerforgetshimselfinslumber。
IrememberthatinablackhourofmyownwhenIwascalleddowntoseehim，ashethoughtfromsleep，hesaidwithaninfinite，anexquisitecompassion，\"Oh，didIwakeyou，didIwake，you？\"Nothingmore，butthelook，thevoice，wereeverything；andwhileIlivetheycannotpassfrommysense。
IX。
Hewasthemostcaressingofmeninhispity，buthehadthefineinstinct，whichwouldhavepleasedLowell，ofneverputtinghishandsonyou——fine，delicatehands，withtaperfingers，andpinknails，likeagirl’s，andsensitivelyquiveringinmomentsofemotion；hedidnotpawyouwiththemtoshowhisaffection，assomanyofusAmericansareapttodo。Amongthehalf—dozen，orhalf—hundred，personalitiesthateachofusbecomes，IshouldsaythatClemens’scentralandfinalpersonalitywassomethingexquisite。Hiscasualacquaintancemightknowhim，perhaps，fromhisfierceintensity，hiswildpleasureinshockingpeoplewithhisribaldriesandprofanities，orfromthemereneedofloosinghisrebelliousspiritinthatway，asanythingbutexquisite，andyetthatwaswhatinthelastanalysishewas。Theymightcomeawayloathingorhatinghim，butonecouldnotknowhimwellwithoutrealizinghimthemostserious，themosthumane，themostconscientiousofmen。HewasSouthwestern，andbornamidtheoppressionofaracethathadnorightsasagainstours，butIneversawamanmoreregardfulofnegroes。HehadayellowbutlerwhenIfirstbegantoknowhim，becausehesaidhecouldnotbeartoorderawhitemanabout，butthetermsofhisorderingGeorgewerethoseofthesoftestentreatywhichcommandeverwore。HelovedtorelyuponGeorge，whowassuchabrokenreedinsomethings，thoughsostanchinothers，andtheferventRepublicaninpoliticsthatClemensthenlikedhimtobe。HecouldinterpretClemens’smeaningtothepublicwithoutconveyinghismood，andcouldrenderhisroughestanswersmoothtothepersondeniedhispresence。Hisgeneralinstructionswerethatthispresencewastobedeniedallbutpersonalfriends，butthesoftheartofGeorgewassometimestouchedbyimportunity，andoncehecameupintothebilliard—roomsayingthatMr。SmithwishedtoseeClemens。Uponinquiry，Mr。Smithdevelopednotiesoffriendship，andClemenssaid，\"YougoandtellMr。SmiththatIwouldn’tcomedowntoseetheTwelveApostles。\"Georgeturnedfromthethresholdwherehehadkepthimself，andframedaparaphraseofthismessagewhichapparentlysentMr。Smithawaycontentwithhimselfandalltherestoftheworld。
ThepartofhimthatwasWesterninhisSouthwesternoriginClemenskepttotheend，buthewasthemostdesouthernizedSouthernerIeverknew。
Nomanmoreperfectlysensedandmoreentirelyabhorredslavery，andnoonehaseverpouredsuchscornuponthesecond—hand，Walter—Scotticized，pseudo—chivalryoftheSouthernideal。Heheldhimselfresponsibleforthewrongwhichthewhiteracehaddonetheblackraceinslavery，andheexplained，inpayingthewayofanegrostudentthroughYale，thathewasdoingitashispartofthereparationduefromeverywhitetoeveryblackman。Hesaidhehadneverseenthisstudent，noreverwishedtoseehimorknowhisname；itwasquiteenoughthathewasanegro。AboutthattimeacoloredcadetwasexpelledfromWestPointforsomepointofconduct\"unbecominganofficerandgentleman，\"andtherewastheusualshabbyphilosophyinaportionofthepresstotheeffectthatanegrocouldneverfeeltheclaimofhonor。Themanwasfifteenpartswhite，but，\"Ohyes，\"Clemenssaid，withbitterirony，\"itwasthatonepartblackthatundidhim。\"Itmadehima\"nigger\"andincapableofbeingagentleman。Itwastoblameforthewholething。Thefifteenpartswhitewereguiltless。
ClemenswasentirelysatisfiedwiththeresultoftheCivilWar，andhewaseagertohaveitsfactsandmeaningsbroughtoutatonceinhistory。
Heridiculedthenotion，heldbymany，that\"itwasnotyettime\"tophilosophizetheeventsofthegreatstruggle；thatwemust\"waittillitspassionshadcooled，\"and\"thecloudsofstrifehadclearedaway。\"
Hemaintainedthatthetimewouldnevercomewhenweshouldseeitsmotivesandmenanddeedsmoreclearly，andthatnow，now，wasthehourtoascertaintheminlastingverity。Picturesquelyanddramaticallyheportrayedtheimbecilityofdeferringtheinquiryatanypointtothedistanceoffutureyearswheninevitablythefactswouldbegintoputonfable。
Hehadpowersofsarcasmandarelentlessrancorinhiscontemptwhichthosewhoknewhimbestappreciatedmost。ThelateNoahBrooks，whohadbeeninCaliforniaatthebeginningofClemens’scareer，andhadwitnessedtheeffectofhisridiculebeforehehadlearnedtotemperit，oncesaidtomethathewouldratherhaveanyoneelseintheworlddownonhimthanMarkTwain。ButasClemensgrewolderhegrewmoremerciful，nottothewrong，buttothemenwhowereinit。Thewrongwasoftenthesourceofhiswildestdrolling。Heconsidereditinsuchhopelessnessofeverdoingitjusticethathisdespairbrokeinlaughter。