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。